This article offers an inquiry into the discursive construction of 'terrorism' by France 24, the French international broadcaster, in the aftermath of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine in January 2015. The article argues that the broadcaster seems to employ a relatively narrow definition of terrorism linking it to Islam and Muslims. France 24 portrays the attacks as an external phenomenon coming to France from outside. The blame is assigned to non-French factors, mainly to foreign extremist organisations, Islamist ideologues and overseas training. No reasons for violence are sought inside the country. Internal developments, such as discrimination, youth marginalisation, lack of educational and work opportunities, relations between law enforcement and the Muslim community that could potentially contribute to the acts, are not explored by the broadcaster's investigative journalism. This narrow interpretation of 'terrorism' that assigns responsibility to Muslims, Islamic indoctrination and overseas training may further alienate Muslim communities in France's already divided society. It points to narrow policy responses that focus mainly on stricter monitoring of Muslim minorities, on limiting combat and cross-border movement. This type of discourse excludes long-term policy solutions that address broader socio-politico-economic conditions in which 'terrorism' might flourish. KeywordsCharlie Hebdo, France 24, international broadcasting, media and terrorism, terrorism discourse Introduction This article offers an inquiry into the discursive construction of 'terrorism' by France 24 (F24), the French international broadcaster, in the aftermath of the attacks on the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo, in January 2015. Totally, 12 people were shot dead in the attack. The majority of the victims were cartoonists, employees of the magazine, known for making fun of politicians, religions and famous personalities. It became the deadliest assault on human life to have been committed on the French soil in the preceding two decades. The cartoons of Prophet Mohammed published by Charlie Hebdo, considered offensive by followers of Islam, were the reason behind the attack. However, this was not the first time the magazine had published pictures of Mohammed. Earlier in December 2012, French Muslim communities sued Charlie Hebdo over the publication of similar images. The magazine later received numerous threats from radical Muslims which led the French police to allocate security officers to protect the magazine's journalists and their right to free expression.This article focuses on the othering process of terrorists by F24. It poses three questions with regard to the broadcaster's narrative of Charlie Hebdo attacks: (1) What makes a 'terrorist' in the eyes of the broadcaster? (2) Which drivers, root causes and permissive factors contributed to the attacks? and (3) What broader debate does this discourse enable? It is argued that the broadcaster employed a relatively narrow definition of terrorism linking it s...
This article explains the role of media in the identity-building process in the European Union (EU). Starting from a historical overview of different forms of nationalism in Europe and various ways in which nations emerged, it traces the efforts of current members of the European Union to create a common feeling of belonging in the EU's unique post-national realm. Finally it examines whether media should be and could be the conveyors of the new pan-national European soul.
This article examines the relationship between European (international) broadcasting and Islamist terrorism in Africa and positions media portrayal of Boko Haram within the larger picture of Europe’s relations with Africa. Two international broadcasters provide the basis for the analysis: France 24 and Deutsche Welle. The article compares and contrasts their discourse on terrorism to advance several arguments: 1) that through their respective portrayal of Boko Haram and Nigeria both France 24 and Deutsche Welle’s reporting is in line with their respective countries’ foreign policies towards Africa, 2) that discourse on both F24 and DW perpetuates the unequal relationship between African countries and Western powers, 3) that portraying terrorism in terms of ‘clash of civilisations’, as in the case of France 24, may unintentionally contribute to the strengthening of the extremist cause. This is due to the transformation of violent extremism into ‘new wars’. The concept, elaborated in the article, differently explains the logic of extremist behaviour and its relationship with media.
Euronews can be regarded as Europe’s most experimental and successful pan-national broadcaster. It is increasingly international in its organisation and output. The issues covered no longer concentrate on Europe. ‘Going global’ is the channel’s new motto. This paper outlines the changing rationale behind the creation of Euronews. It starts by discussing the American cultural imperialism of the 1970s and 1980s and the way it ignited European responses and counter-measures. It subsequently examines the politics of pan-national identity building in Europe and media’s role in the process. Finally, it demonstrates how Euronews has transformed itself into an instrument of the European Union’s transnational public diplomacy.
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