The Role and Position of the Media in Confronting Terrorist Threats

The research projects related to the psychological impacts of terrorism have multiplied following the September eleventh attacks. Media contact with terrorism is one of the main causes of such impacts. However, few resources are available on the research dealing with people’s flexibility in the face of media contact with terrorist threats prior to mental and emotional blow. The present paper examines an eight-dimensional conceptual model of issues related to terrorism, which is of great importance for the social-psychological flexibility in the face of terrorism. The research results (n = 1040) have been demonstrated as an index of the issues related to terrorism for Kashan, Iran from December to January, 2009. These results are related to the use of media such as television, radio and the Internet as well. The research results demonstrate the psychological consequences of the terrorist threat as "information search in the media, risk perception and fear levels". The important role of governmental relations, ambiguity of social support, and the conflicting results from television and the Internet are presented as well.