'We are at war': Continuity and rupture in French anti-terrorist discourse. (June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fragnon, Julien
• Other Names: Niemeyer Katharina guest-editor.; Ericson Staffan guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Media, war & conflict. Volume 12:Number 2(2019:Jun.)
• Page Start: 131
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2019-06
• Subjects: argument -- discourse -- France -- temporality -- terrorism -- war; Mass media and war -- Periodicals; Terrorism and mass media -- Periodicals; War -- Press coverage -- Periodicals; 070.433305
• DOI: 10.1177/1750635219846035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-6352

Abstract

This article analyses the circulation of the word 'war' in French anti-terrorist discourse since the 1980s. Although its use was apparent well before the attacks carried out in 2015, it experienced such a rise in frequency that it formed a discursive rupture. Its usage seeks to intensify the intentions traditionally evoked by anti-terrorist discourse by calling attention to amplification in the situation, while also seeking to justify a strategy based on exceptional circumstances.