Social Media & Mass Shootings and Social Media & Terrorism

Circle of Insight

Join Dr. Carlos and Dr. Amirkizi as they discuss social media contagion & mass shootings and terrorism & digital media with Dr. Jennifer Johnston and Professor Brigitte Nacos. Jennifer B. Johnston, PhD, of Western New Mexico University. Attempts to answer Is the relationship merely unidirectional: More shootings lead to more coverage? Or is it possible that more coverage leads to more shootings?” Johnston and her coauthor, Andrew Joy, BS, also of Western New Mexico University, reviewed data on mass shootings amassed by media outlets, the FBI and advocacy organizations, as well as scholarly articles, to conclude that “media contagion” is largely responsible for the increase in these often deadly outbursts. They defined mass shootings as either attempts to kill multiple people who are not relatives or those resulting in injuries or fatalities in public places. Brigitte L. Nacos teaches political science at Columbia University and was a long-time U.S. correspondent for newspapers in Germany. Focusing on the phenomenon of terrorism in the age of ISIS/ISIL, Terrorism and Counterterrorisminvestigates this form of political violence in an international and American context and in light of new and historical trends. In this comprehensive and highly readable text, renowned expert Brigitte Nacos clearly defines terrorism's diverse causes, actors, and strategies; outlines anti- and counter-terrorist responses; and highlights terrorism's relationship with the public and media. Terrorism and Counterterrorism introduces students to the field's main debates and helps them critically assess our understanding of, and our strategies for, addressing this complex and enduring issue.