The Role of Media in the First World Trade Center Bombing

Introduction 

The United States is no stranger to terrorist attacks. The country has suffered a number of attacks that have left hundreds dead and many more wounded. These attacks have also devastated the economy. While terrorist groups are the key actors involved in the attacks, there are other players whose roles have not received much attention. The media is among these players. The primary mandate of the media is to inform the public about current developments. Thanks to the operations of news organizations, the American public remains informed about the affairs of their country. The First World Trade Center bombing that occurred in 2003 highlighted the role that the media plays in shedding light on developments. Across the country, news outlets broadcast the bombing and the devastating impacts that it had. In addition to sharing news of the bombing, the media also shaped such other issues as the politics that surrounded the First World Trade Center bombing.

Background 

In 1993, a group of terrorists targeted the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City. The group drove a truck packed with bomb and exploded it at the North Tower of the WTC (Koplewicz et al., 2002). It is believed that the plan of the group was to cause the North Tower to fall onto the South Tower thereby causing the collapse of both towers. The success of this plan would have resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, many of whom worked in the WTC. This plan failed and the resulting death toll was much lower. While this attack remains one of the deadliest in the United States, only six lives were lost. Thousands were left with injuries. In the days that followed, law enforcement agencies in the country conducted investigations with the aim of determining the motive and the individuals behind the attack. It was determined that a group of individuals who had entered the US from such Muslim countries as Iraq were behind the attack. The Al-Qaeda terrorist network received blame for training and offering other forms of support to the perpetrators of the bombing (Alexander & Swetnam, 2001). As noted above, the various media outlets in the United States broadcast news of the attack. In the discussion that follows, the different roles that the media played in this attack are explored.

The role of the media 

The role that the media played in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center is among the subjects that has attracted interest from the academic and scientific communities. Various scholars have explored whether the media hinder or support efforts to keep the US secure against such terrorist attacks as the one that occurred in 1993. Fahy and Proulx are among the scholars that have examined the function of the media. In their article, they note that media outlets helped to keep the American public informed about events (Fahy & Proulx, 2002). They observe that journalists conducted interviews whose primary aim was to determine what had transpired. These scholars add that the insights that they gained from the media constituted a bulk of the information that they share in their article. Essentially, Fahy and Proulx agree that the media played its traditional role of informing during the 1993 bombing. They are not alone in making this assertion. Brigitte Nacos joins these scholars in shedding light on the information that the media shared following the 1993 attack. In her book, she notes that thanks to the efforts of various media outlets, Americans were able to understand that their country was under attack from terrorist forces that were bent on causing devastation (Nacos, 1996). Her book explores various attacks that the country has suffered and how the media has covered these attacks. Combining the thoughts that Fahy and Proulx and Nacos share in their respective works, one may conclude that the media was helpful in keeping the American people informed.

The role that the media played in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center goes beyond informing the American public. Another role that the media played is opening the eyes of the American public to the threat that terrorism posed. In previous years, terrorist groups had focused their attacks on other regions. Following the 1993 attack, the American people began to understand that they were not insulated. This is one of the main arguments that Nacos makes in her book. She notes that thanks to the wide media coverage that the 1993 bombing received, terrorism gained a new meaning within the American public (Nacos, 1995). Nacos adds that the American people are not the only parties who failed to recognize the threat of terrorism before the 1993 attack. The government joined its people in downplaying this threat. For instance, the government focused its efforts and resources on tackling terrorism that plagued such regions as the Arab world (Nacos, 1993). The media coverage changed this perception and reminded the American people and their government that the United States was well within the reach of terrorist groups that were passionately committed to dealing damage to the country.

Nacos’ book is comprehensive as it explores a number of key issues that concern terrorism and the impact that the media has had. One of the crucial issues that Nacos sheds light on is the fear and panic that the media fanned following the 1993 attack. Nacos notes that news organizations broadcast disturbing images and footage that caused fear among Americans. The coverage of the bombing caused American audiences to understand that terrorism was a real threat and that they were all at risk. The 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center is not the only incident that the media has exploited to cause fear and panic. US media outlets are notorious for exploiting tragedy to inspire panic and promote hate. For instance, in their article on the impact that the media has had on the psyche of the American people, Dawn Rothe and Stephen Muzzatti mention that media outlets have developed a tradition of fanning moral panic (Rothe & Muzzatti, 2004). They offer the example of the 911 attacks to support their position that media organizations tend to encourage panic and hysteria. Essentially, the US media organizations use such terrorist attacks as the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center to create the impression that the US faces threats everywhere. This impression leaves the American people feeling vulnerable and terrified.

When the United States suffers an attack, it is common for the government to come out and issue assurances. Government figures and agencies work together to instill confidence in the public through guarantees that all measures have been taken to pursue perpetrators and to safeguard public security. In the aftermath of the 1993 bombing, the government faced a new hurdle from the media. As mentioned above, media organizations fanned panic through constant reminders that the US was under attack from dangerous terrorists. The narrative that media organizations perpetuated undermined the efforts of the government to keep the American people calm (Nacos, 1993). This is one of the bold assertions that Nacos makes in her book. She states that while Bill Clinton, the then President wore a bold face and issued stern warnings to governments that harbor terrorist groups, his administration was deeply concerned (Nacos, 1993). The media coverage of the bombing only served to compound the government’s worries. Therefore, given the arguments that Nacos presents, it is clear that media organizations in the US undermined the efforts of the government to intimidate terrorists and their sponsors and to prevent panic among the American public.

Striking fear into the heart of the public is one of the main objectives that terrorist groups pursue. These groups stage deadly attacks that gain them attention and enhance their profile (Nacos, 1993). The media is one of the tools that these terrorist groups rely on to engage with the public. In her exploration of the impact that the media has on terrorism, Nacos contends that media organizations enhance the visibility of terrorist groups through their coverage. She identifies the coverage of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing as one of the examples of media organizations providing terrorist groups with a platform for visibility and influence (Nacos, 1993). The wide coverage that this bombing received from media outlets allowed Al-Qaeda to gain greater prominence. While this group had carried out attacks in previous years, it had not established a presence a strong force. Thanks to the coverage that the bombing received, this terrorist network emerged as a potent threat to the security of the United States and its allies. Therefore, an argument can be made that as a result of media coverage and attention, Al-Qaeda and its terrorists gained attention and prominence. Essentially, the media helped to spread the message of this group. Without the wide coverage that the attack received, it is indeed possible that Al Qaeda would have remained the small and insignificant group that it was in previous years. It is fair to blame the media for the continued growth and influence that this network has witnessed.

In the discussion above, it has been revealed that the media helped to raise the profile of Al Qaeda through its coverage. Nacos contends that the involvement of the media in enhancing the profile of this terrorist group was more direct. She notes that following the attack, the group penned a letter and addressed it to the New York Times (Nacos, 1993). In the letter, Al Qaeda outlined its ideology and its rationale for the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. According to the letter, the bombing was in retaliation for the US support of Israel and its campaigns in the Arab World (Nacos, 1993). Al Qaeda added that the American people were not innocent but were complicit in the policies and actions of their government. This letter and the fact that it featured in the New York Times clearly indicates that terrorist groups rely on media outlets to promote their agenda. Instead of highlighting the ills that terrorist groups commit, the media in the United States serve as the mouthpiece of these groups. It is little wonder that the United States and other Western countries continue to grapple with the challenge of terrorism. If the media truly wishes to help in the effort against terrorism, it needs to shield the public against the propaganda of terrorist organizations.

It has been pointed out in the discussion above that the main goal that terrorist groups seek to achieve is to inspire fear. In addition to this goal, these groups also aim to secure reforms. For example, the withdrawal of Western troops from the Arab world is one of the major objectives that terrorist groups such as the Taliban seek to attain. The 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center was an attempt by Al Qaeda to push for change in US foreign policy. As has been mentioned above, this group used the attack to punish the US for its support of Israel. Al Qaeda exploited media coverage to convey its message to US leadership and policy makers (Nacos, 1993). Nacos presents this argument in her book. While she does not explicitly argue that the media coverage of the1993 bombing was aimed at gaining the attention of American policy makers, this is the suggestion that she makes. She contends that in general, terrorist groups rely on the media to present their messages to leaders and policy makers. Following from this argument, it can be said that thanks to the media coverage that the bombing received, Al Qaeda managed to communicate with American leadership. The US government responded with force and anger to the attack. This does not mean that Al Qaeda was unsuccessful in gaining the attention of the American leadership. It suggests that media is a powerful outlet that terrorist groups can use to achieve political goals while gaining the attention and respect of policymakers.

Today, US faces a crisis of race and religion. President Trump has unsuccessfully sought to block individuals from Muslim countries from entering the United States. His words and actions are a reflection of the Islamophobia that the US has grappled with for years. In the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack, the US and other Western nations witness a surge in anti-Muslim sentiment. Members of the Muslim community suffer blame for the actions of terrorist groups and individuals who carry out attacks in the name of religion. The media plays a role in fanning the anti-Muslim sentiment. While this role is not direct, media organizations help to reinforce stereotypes while presenting Muslims in negative light. This is not new as it was witnessed following the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. The question of Islamophobia and its relationship with the media is the main focus of the article that Mehdi Semati authored. In this article, Semati examines the portrayal of Muslims in the media after such terrorist attacks as the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Semati argues that thanks to negative media coverage, terrorist attacks are linked to the Muslim religion and the entire Muslim community (Semati, 1997). He adds that following the 1993 bombing, the entire American nation came together in its hatred and condemnation of the Muslim community. Essentially, the negative press coverage created an “us” versus “them” dynamic in the United States. Semati is not isolated in his contention that media coverage heightens religious and racial tensions. Amir Saeed added his voice to the discussion on the portrayal of Muslims in the media after a terrorist attack. While his article does not give particular focus to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, he blames the media for linking Islam and Muslims to terrorism. He laments that the media presents such Muslim figures as Prophet Muhammad as supporters of violence and perpetrators of terrorism (Saeed, 2007). Whereas it is true that most of those who commit terrorist acts belong to the Muslim community, it is not fair to blame the entire community for the actions of a few. The media needs to make a distinction between the Muslim community and terrorists. The heightened racial and religious tensions can only be relieved when the media embraces truthful, fair and balanced reporting. Instead of presenting Islam as a religion of violence, the media needs to promote tolerance and harmony. This is the key to creating a united front against terrorism.

The US has suffered multiple terrorist attacks. Each attack has taught the country key lessons. For example, the 9/11 attack allowed the US to identify flaws in its airport security protocols. The nation has since implemented a number of measures to ensure that terrorists cannot exploit loopholes in airport security to carry out attacks. The 1993 World Trade Center bombing also presented the country with an opportunity to learn and improve its security and preparedness. The media played a vital role in challenging the country to learn from this attack. Matthew Storin authored a thought-provoking article in which he evaluates media coverage of various terrorist attacks. He notes that such media outlets as the New York Times examined attacks with the aim of identifying the flaws and loopholes that allowed the attacks to take place (Storin, 2002). Storin notes that the New York Times carried an article in which it cautioned that the airport security protocols that the US had adopted were insufficient to secure the country against terrorist attacks. The New York Times article is clear indication that media organizations are committed to enhancing national security. It is very unfortunate and regrettable that despite the warning that the New York Times issued, the US suffered a major attack in 2001. If the country is to prevent attacks in the future, law enforcement agencies and policymakers need to consolidate their efforts with media organizations with the aim of identifying areas that require improvement.

In an earlier section, it was noted that media outlets highlighted the threat of terrorism that the United States and its people faced. As part of their focus on terrorism, media organizations shed light on individuals that the nation needed to keep a close eye on because they posed a security risk. In his article, Storin notes that various media outlets had warned about a number of individuals who went on to orchestrate the 911 attacks (Storin, 2002). He also notes that media organizations had shared with the American public that the US had received intelligence from such partners as Germany regarding terrorist plots (Storin, 2002). Essentially, the media challenged the nation to become more vigilant. It reminded Americans that the days of security were gone and that terrorism was a real threat. The media also pointed the country to its failures in an effort to ensure that the nation remained safe. For example, Storin shares that media outlets had warned that the US immigration laws were so relaxed that dangerous individuals could easily enter the country. It is evident that the media in the United States wishes to keep the country secure. There is an urgent need for stakeholders to include the media in their discussions about how to address the threat of terrorism.

In the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack, people tend to be upset and extremely vigilant. Government agencies vow to pursue terrorists and keep the country secure. However, with time, the public anger and vigilance wanes. The government abandons its resolve to combat terrorism. The media also fails to remain committed to its call for vigilance and heightened security measures. Storin argues that just a few months after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, different media outlets had resumed normal operations and coverage (Storin, 2002). These outlets created the impression that normalcy had retuned and that terrorism was no longer an immediate threat. Basically, the media can be blamed for encouraging complacency. For example, Storin notes that in 1994, the New York Times was among the new organizations calling for increased vigilance and the implementation of tighter security measures (Storin, 2002). A few months later, this news outlet was running routine and normal stories. While it is not fair to expect news organizations to focus on an event years after it has occurred, the media must be reminded that it has an obligation to ensure public safety. The 9/11 attacks occurred because the US failed to learn from the attacks that it had suffered previously. Some blame for these attacks should be assigned to media organizations for their failure to challenge the government and the American people to understand that terrorism had not been defeated.

Storin’s article is a minefield for insights into the role that the media played in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Among the critical issues that he addresses in the article is the trial of those suspected to be behind the bombing. He shares that such news organizations as the Washington Post and the New York Times offered extensive coverage to the trial (Storin, 2002). The New York Times particularly committed immense effort, time and resources to the trial. This news organization informed the American public and the wider world about such aspects of the trial as the identities of the accused and the evidence presented against them. This organization also announced the conviction of the accused. The New York Times and the Washington Post are not the only outlets that covered the trial. Other outlets also broadcast the trial to their audiences. It is reasonable to argue that through their coverage of the trial, the various news organizations allowed the American people to feel some sense of justice. The nation had lost six of its citizens and thousands were left with injuries and deep wounds. The conviction of the accused must have brought relief to the millions of Americans who wished for justice.

Terrorist attacks often cause confusion and chaos. Emergency crews struggle in their efforts to reach victims. News organizations also scramble to keep their audiences informed (Burke, Sims & Sterman, 2016). When the bombing of the World Trade Center occurred, communication technology was still in its infancy. The implication of this is that it was difficult for media outlets to obtain accurate and reliable information about the attacks. It took many minutes before radio stations and television channels began broadcasting the attack (Burke, Sims & Sterman, 2016. In the initial few minutes, the reports of the attack were inaccurate. There are some media outlets that blamed the incident on an electrical fault (Burke, Sims & Sterman, 2016. These false and inaccurate reports amount to misinformation. Through no fault of their own, media outlets fed their audiences inaccurate information. In addition to the unreliable communication technology that was in use at the time, the fact that terrorism on American soil was a new and unprecedented phenomenon caused the media outlets to spread incorrect information. Today, news outlets can leverage sophisticated and modern technology to cover events in real time and accurately.

No discussion on the role that the media played in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center would be complete without an examination of the impact of technology and the evolution that media coverage has undergone. As noted above, media organizations had to rely on outdated communication technology that was effective in relaying information in real time. This technology made it difficult for news organizations to deliver accurate information (Burke, Sims & Sterman, 2016). Technology has undergone tremendous improvement since 1993. Today, social media has revolutionized news reporting. It is possible for news organizations to broadcast messages in real time and to reach wider audiences. Thanks to social media, the organizations are also able to share news of terrorist attacks. For example, in their paper, Burke, Sims and Sterman highlight the role that social media played in the reporting of the Boston Marathon bombing that occurred in 2013 (Burke, Sims & Sterman, 2016). Despite the improvements that technology has undergone, news organizations still struggle to contain the spread of false information. Through social media, it has become easy for individuals to share unverified and false reports.

The discussion above has shed light on different functions that the media served in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. From the discussion, it is evident that the impact of media coverage of the incident is both positive and negative. The impact is positive because the coverage enabled the American public to become familiar with the new and emerging threat of terrorism. Misinformation and the fanning of Islamophobia are among the impacts of the media coverage that make it negative. Overall, the media coverage underscores the vital role that the media plays in informing security policies and informing the public.

Conclusion 

The United States has taken steps to prevent terrorist attacks. These steps are the direct result of the previous attacks that terrorist groups have carried out in the country. The bombing of the World Trade Center in 1993 was a rude awakening for the American people. As a result of this attack, the US recognized that terrorism was not confined to the Arab world and other regions. This attack also challenged the country to institute stricter security measures. The media was deeply involved in reporting on this attack. For months, various media outlets carried stories that focused on the devastation that had resulted from the attack. These outlets also examined the parties behind their attack and their primary motivations. Other roles that the media played in this incident include cementing stereotypes while fueling religious hatred. The involvement of the media underscores the fact that news organizations have a mandate to cover key issues that affect public life. Going forward, media outlets need to maintain objectivity in their reporting on terrorism.

References

Alexander, Y. & Swetnam, M. S. (2001). Usama bin Laden’s al Qaida: Profile of a Terrorist Network. Ardsley, NY: Transnational Publisher Inc.

Burke, S. E., Sims, A. & Sterman, D. (2016). War and Tweets. Terrorism in America in the Digital Age. Washington, DC: New America.

Fahy, R. F. & Proulx, G. (2001). A Comparison of the 1993 and the 2001 Evacuations of the World Trade Center. Proceedings-Fire Risk and Hazard Assessment Symposium, 111-117.

Koplewicz, H. S., Vogel, J. M., Solanto, M. V., Morrissey, R. F., Alonso, C. M., Abikoff, H.,Gallagher, R. & Novick, R. M. (2002). Child and Parent Response to the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 15 (1), 77-85.

Nacos, B. L. (1996). Terrorism and the Media: From the Iran Hostage Crisis to the World Trade Center Bombing. Columbia University Press.

Rothe, D. & Muzzatti, S. L. (2004). Enemies Everywhere: Terrorism, Moral Public, and US Civil Society. Critical Criminology, 12 (3), 327-350.

Saeed, A. (2007). Media, Racism and Islamophobia: The Representation of Islam and Muslims In the Media. Sociology Compass, 1 (2), 443-462.

Semati, M. (1997). Terrorists, Moslems, Fundamentalists and other Bad Objects in the Midst of “Us”. The Journal of International Communication, 4 (1), 30-49.

Storin, M. V. (2002). While America Slept: Coverage of Terrorism from 1993 to September 11, 2001. Cambridge, MA: The Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy.