Media Representations of Terrorism - A Case Study of 11-M Madrid

Terrorist acts are often followed by lengthy media reports that discuss their dramatic elements, motivations and consequences. Focusing on terrorism within the Western world, this work examines the fundamentally controversial relationship between terrorism and the mass media. Claims that the relationship is 'symbiotic' (Cooper 1976, Wilkinson 1997) are explored, as well as the political, social and psychological effects that these portrayals can trigger. This analysis is then followed by a case study into how two Spanish broadsheets reported on the Madrid 2004 train bombings throughout the two weeks following the attack, in order to further delve into the polemic relationship. The concluding section argues that the media should never portray terrorism in a way that could harm its intended public, and that therefore certain safeguards are required.