II.III: Anti-Terrorism
Pioneer Anti-terrorism Broadcasting Other Information:
The nature of terrorism and the tools it uses make U.S. international broadcasting a natural, strong weapon in America's arsenal.
Terrorism is not random, thoughtless violence. The terrorist carefully plans and orchestrates his campaign to achieve specific
objectives. These primarily include showing the world that the terrorists have the power to do anything they want anywhere;
and creating fear and panic in the public and an undercurrent of mistrust and revolt against the government. To maximize the
media coverage of their actions, terrorists perpetrate graphic atrocities in an attempt to increase the number of victims.
They attack places with social or religious significance at a time when an important event takes place and lots of media personnel
are present. Modern media, particularly television, have been used by terrorists as a weapon. The popularity of TV guarantees
terrorists immediate coverage and access to practically every household worldwide. Around the world, the terrorists' message
of hatred of what America stands for resonated among many Islamic populations. They saw the awful scenes on television and
read slanted coverage in local newspapers, which had the theme: "yes it was a terrible thing, but America deserved it because
America is arrogant, pro-Israel and anti-Islam." · U.S. international broadcasting has a role to play in this environment.
As noted, we have already established the successful Middle East Radio Network as a major part of the BBG’s anti-terrorism
effort. At the same time, BBG broadcasters have surged broadcasting in the languages of Central Asia and South Central Asia
to carry and analyze the news as well as explain U.S. policies.· And in the still longer run, given Congressional authorization
and Administration approval, we stand ready to launch new model radio and television operations in a multitude of Islamic
languages. America's message will be heard and seen.· The first such project, which will actually be funded within the BBG’s
current allocation will be a powerful medium wave radio service to Iran aimed at young adults, building on the existing VOA
Farsi Service and RFE/RL Persian Service.· A second project, still in the development stage, would target the Muslim populations
of Pacific Asia, targeting Indonesia and possibly Malaysia.
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