I think Stephen Colbert hit the nail on the head, as he usually does, when he commented on how certain stories dominate our news cycle. Here’s the link to what I’m talking about, http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/e50viy/intro---10-8-14. He talks about, “the latest in the war against ISIS, then to cheer you up the latest on Ebola. Colbert is satirizing America’s obsession with certain stories that are negative and sensationalized in the media.
ISIL and Ebola. What makes these topics different than others as to deserve them so much coverage over the past several months? I want take this opportunity to explore these stories. In this post I want to explore ISIL and how and why it became such a media wildfire. In another post, I hope to discuss Ebola as well.
But beginning with ISIL, this terrorist organization caught national attention in August with the brutal decapitation of American journalist, James Foley. To make matters worse, they published a video of this act that proliferated through the Internet. In doing so, this is an organization that has actively sought the attention of the Internet and media.
On November 16, 2014, ISIL published yet another video message, depicting the beheading of American hostage Peter Kassig, also known as Abdul-Rahman Kassig (here is a link to a story on Kassig http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/11/16/peter-kassig-islamic-state-claims-beheading-syria/19128067/). This makes five westerners who have been beheaded on video messages.
These examples are to prove something: ISIL is a media monster. From twitter campaigns, to video messages of killings, to recordings from its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi that threaten the U.S. and its allies, it is clear that ISIL is set apart by its ability to use social media and the Internet as a new medium to install terror. They even built a downloadable Android app.
Above, we mentioned ISIL’s proficiency at using video messages. ISIL’s twitter strategy is also similarly frightening. For one, supporters that download the organization’s app instantly retweet any message sent out by ISIL giving the appearance of broad support. Additionally, the organization often tweets using popular hashtag such as #Worldcup. Thus, by following global Twitter trends ISIL is able to shoot out their message to more and more screens (here is a link explaining ISIL’s social media strategy further http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/06/isis-iraq-twitter-social-media-strategy/372856/#disqus_thread).
This is how ISIL captured global attention. In the U.S., this combined with our fascination of gruesome imagery is what made ISIL into a story that gained so much attention. At this point I think it is important to take a moment to realize the impact that the Internet has had on this story. There are literally international terrorists using the Internet as a tool for their propaganda. This proves to be another example of the far reaching implications of the Internet and how it is changing our modern day world.
Hi Nish - I agree with your characterization of ISIL and its media use. What makes this group different from the rest is its ability to recruit people thousands of miles away through social media. In addition to using Twitter and Facebook, high ranking members of ISIL make propaganda films promoting their organization and its cause. Some of these films are extremely well-made. In my opinion, this really shows how the internet and social media can be a double-edged sword. Although the internet can spread positive messages, it can also serve as a platform for brutal militant groups such as ISIL. However, I still have hope. The immense backlash we see against ISIL on social media sites is a sign that people do not want to spread a message of hate. Support for minority groups such as the Yazidis is voiced through social media sources, bringing awareness to the nuances of the current conflict in the Middle East.
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