Configuring terrorism in the age of ISIS: The New York Times' coverage of the 2015 Beirut and Paris attacks. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ismail, Amani; Mishra, Smeeta
• Is Part Of: Global media and communication. Volume 15:Number 2(2019:Aug.)
• Page Start: 177
• Page End: 193
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Beirut -- cosmopolitanism -- cultural proximity -- global village -- ISIS -- Paris -- terrorism -- The New York Times; Communication, International -- Periodicals; Communication, International -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Periodicals; Mass media -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Mass media and culture -- Periodicals; Globalization -- Periodicals; 302.2
• DOI: 10.1177/1742766519846643
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-7665

Abstract

This study inquires whether cultural proximity may explain how media handle terrorism in a global village era where cultural proximity may have given way to cosmopolitanism in news-making. Findings indicate that although loss of life is not culture-bound, cultural proximity persists, as comes through in the sheer contrast in the amount of coverage devoted to Paris versus Beirut. This distinction ought to be qualified, for even with Paris, the self-interest of the nation-state was prioritized, meaning that national security and welfare come first, followed by those of culturally proximate locales. Sensational violence was emphasized for both Lebanese and French victims.