ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on an analysis of the nature and foundation of TV coverage of terrorism in the United States and Great Britain. Acts of terrorism take place in a symbolic context through which leaders and constituents define, interpret, and “understand” the nature and consequences of political behavior. More researchers are actually beginning to examine the coverage of terrorism, and are finding that it is fairly diverse and that the formats of TV reporting have something to do with it. This emphasis does not deny the role ideology may contribute to the definition, selection, and coverage of certain acts of terrorism nor that legitimate states may also be involved in acts of terrorism. Data were collected and coded on the following dimensions: news format, quotations, length, visuals, topics of focus, action, and other sources of information cited. The effective environment informs all relevant social activities, including covering the news and engaging in newsworthy activities.
