The role of the media in shaping the perception of terrorism
Keywords:
media, terrorism, risk society, public opinion, moral panic, culture of fear, security, media reportingAbstract
The paper analyzes the role of the media in shaping public opinion about terrorism in contemporary society, with a special focus on how media reporting contributes to the construction of risk, fear, and moral panic. Drawing on the theoretical framework of the risk society, based on the works of Ulrich Beck, Anthony Giddens, and Zygmunt Bauman, the paper examines how terrorism, through media representations, is transformed from a security phenomenon into a permanent social problem and a constant threat. Special attention is paid to the analysis of media mechanisms, such as sensationalism, framing, and agenda-setting, through which certain events are selectively highlighted and interpreted, thereby influencing perceptions of insecurity and legitimizing restrictive security policies. The paper also points to the importance of cultivation theory, emphasizing that long-term exposure to violent content contributes to the normalization of fear and a sense of permanent vulnerability. The paper analyzes the role of the media in shaping public opinion about terrorism in contemporary society, with a special focus on how media reporting contributes to the construction of risk, fear, and moral panic. Drawing on the theoretical framework of the risk society, as developed by Ulrich Beck, Anthony Giddens, and Zygmunt Bauman, the paper examines how terrorism, through media representations, is transformed from a security phenomenon into a permanent social problem and a constant threat. Special attention is paid to the analysis of media mechanisms, such as sensationalism, framing, and agenda-setting, through which certain events are selectively highlighted and interpreted, thereby influencing perceptions of insecurity and legitimizing restrictive security policies. The paper also points to the importance of cultivation theory, emphasizing that long-term exposure to violent content contributes to the normalization of fear and a sense of permanent vulnerability.
Downloads
References
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Anita Klikovac (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
By submitting a manuscript to the Scientific and Professional Conference ‘‘Predrag Marić‘‘, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, authors acknowledge and agree to the following copyright terms and conditions:
-
Author Rights and Ownership
- Authors retain the copyright to their submitted work. However, by submitting their manuscript, authors grant the Scientific and Professional Conference ‘‘Predrag Marić‘‘, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade a non-exclusive right to publish, distribute, and archive the work in any format (print, digital, or electronic).
- Authors are free to share, reproduce, and distribute their published work, provided proper credit is given to the original publication in this journal.
-
Licensing and Open Access Policy
- The journal publishes under the [insert applicable license, e.g., Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY)], which allows others to share and adapt the work with appropriate attribution.
- Authors are responsible for ensuring that their submission complies with the journal's licensing terms and does not violate any third-party rights.
-
Originality and Permissions
- The submitted work must be original and not previously published or under consideration elsewhere.
- If the manuscript includes copyrighted materials (e.g., figures, tables, excerpts), authors must obtain the necessary permissions for reproduction and provide appropriate attribution.
-
Author Warranties
- By submitting, authors confirm that their work does not infringe on any intellectual property rights, is free from plagiarism, and adheres to ethical publishing standards.
- The journal is not responsible for any legal disputes arising from copyright infringement, misrepresentation, or unauthorized use of third-party materials.
-
Editorial and Publication Rights
- Scientific and Professional Conference ‘‘Predrag Marić‘‘, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade reserves the right to make editorial modifications to ensure clarity, consistency, and compliance with journal standards.
- If accepted, the manuscript will be published online and made publicly available according to the journal’s open-access policy.
By proceeding with submission, authors confirm that they have read and agreed to the terms outlined in this Copyright Notice.
