Overview

An examination of the ways in which the media demonized militia groups following the devastating bombing of the Alfred F. Murrah building in Oklahoma City. Using quantitative and qualitative research methods, Chermak offers a fresh perspective on how news coverage and popular entertainment transformed a largely overlooked movement into a symbol for this new threat of domestic terrorism. The author deals with topics such as the type and amount of coverage after the blast, how social problems are constructed in the news and why images of militias were framed in specific ways. He balances his account with a look at the philosophies, activities and strategies of militia groups. Drawing on extensive interviews he conducted at gun shows and preparedness exhibitions, Chermak compares and contrasts media depictions of militia life and ideology with accounts from members and leaders and he assesses how media coverage affected changes in the movement. In conclusion, he discusses the parallels between media treatment of militias in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing and the coverage of the al-Qaeda terrorist network after the attacks on September 11, 2001.

Full Product Details

Author:   Steven M. Chermak
Publisher:   University Press of New England
Imprint:   Northeastern University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.30cm , Height: 2.60cm , Length: 23.00cm
Weight:   0.558kg
ISBN:  

9781555535421

ISBN 10:   1555535429
Pages:   288
Publication Date:   30 November 2002
Audience:   General/trade ,  College/higher education ,  General ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Steven M. Chermak is Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Director of Graduate Affairs at Indiana University. He is the author of Victims in the News: Crime and the American News Media and numerous articles on media coverage of crime.

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