After reading the recent news reports of the shooting that occurred in Plymouth, aside from the sadness I beared while I read of the victims who has passed, I noticed there was something missing. During the media coverage of the Plymouth shooting, there was no mention of the term ‘Terrorist’ when this indeed was an episode of terror. The BBC has continued to refer to the terrorist as an ‘attacker’ or by his name Jake Davison, who within six minutes took 5 lives, including a three-year-old girl. The lack of the term ‘terrorist’ being used for this attack boils down to false narratives the media has created and how the media has favoured white privilege. The term ‘terrorist’ has been reserved and routinely used for when an individual of an ethnic minority commits a crime, although they rightfully may be acts of terror it has created a stereotype. When you think of a terrorist, the first image that comes to mind is not a white person, but rather an individual of a specific description. Where in reality it should not be a question of imagining a terrorist’s appearance but rather the severity of their horrific actions and the victims. With this being said, the Defence Secretary has issued a statement claiming this ‘act’ was not terror-related. I suppose one can only argue with the media if the head of state or government is able to use the correct terminology. Due to the continuous backlash the media has faced in regards to the term ‘terrorist’ it has been noticed that arguments of ‘the attacker’s mental state’ are placed for questioning. Therefore insinuating that due to an individual’s mental state or upbringing, they are no longer eligible to be called a ‘terrorist’ regardless of their crimes and acts of terror. However, this rule is reserved for ‘white’ terrorists.
The media’s role within society is to provide informative information, to bring plurality, which will then allow the public to make their own decision and their own perspectives. The media is failing to do so as they continue to provide unfair and impartial media content, especially within news reporting. The media has continued to disguise the criminal acts of the white man and in doing do has normalized white privilege. This has led society to believe that all terrorist’s are Arab’s with beards from Pakistan, completely unaware of the media’s conditioning that has dehumanized Muslims and those of the East.
The terror attack of Plymouth has been noted as the worst such event in Britain since 2010. My condolences go out to the families of the victims and I wish those hospitalised a speedy recovery. As I write this I must ask that you read the news through a filtered lens, be aware of how devious the media can be and remain informed, for as we know, knowledge itself is power.
