The Concept of (Global) Terrorism and Conspiracy Theory as Media Discourse Cover Image

Koncept (globalnog) terorizma kao teorije zavjere u medijskom diskursu
The Concept of (Global) Terrorism and Conspiracy Theory as Media Discourse

Author(s): Neda Radulović
Subject(s): Philosophy, Social Philosophy, Security and defense, Studies in violence and power
Published by: Centar za filozofiju medija i mediološka istraživanja
Keywords: discourse of terrorism; terrorism experts; conspiracy theory; jesuischarlie;

Summary/Abstract: Despite the urgency and growing interest in a subject, there is no unifying definition of terrorism. A large number of studies could be seen as integral part of ‘counter-terrorism’ strategies- as set of practices to prevent and defeat terrorism. Lisa Stampnitzky’s research looked into the discourse of terrorism experts and argued that the concept of terrorism is a social construct, thus revealing further structure that facilitated it. Aim of this paper is to compare the concept of terrorism as media discourse- a form of legitimate expert interpretation, with conspiracy theory as a form of illegitimate, para-institutional form of interpretation. Noting the commonplaces of the two: defined as an afterthought, both being designated and not self-described notions, featuring a plot that precedes the event- this paper will look at these discourses, the way they relate to (and intersect) each other, and try to trace their manifestations.

  • Issue Year: 5/2016
  • Issue No: 9
  • Page Range: 1439-1449
  • Page Count: 11
  • Language: Croatian