Global Media, Digital Journalism and the Question of Terrorism: An Empirical Inquest on ISIS

Abstract

This study examined the role of digital journalism on insecurity and terrorist attacks of ISIS as reported by media outlets. This study was anchored on the framing theory, which stipulates that the digital media as the machinery of development communication for creating awareness of security issues. The method adopted was content analysis, which analyzed 30 news videos of ISIS terrorist activities based on Youtube. Also, four research questions were adequately answered in this study. From the findings, global media outlets framed their reports to secure sympathy from its global audience for the victims of extreme violence. The result indicated that more than 70% of CNN news reports were framed on the nature of terrorist attacks by ISIS. CNN built a media agenda on the patterns of attacks by ISIS. It was recommended that global media outlets should give sufficient attention to issues of security and terrorism across the globe.