TEMPE, Ariz., April 28 (UPI) -- Terrorists use the press and public relations as weapons, an Arizona State University study found.
Researchers analyzed almost 300 al-Qaida messages and found that jihadist operations use consistent patterns of outreach that establish them socially and religiously, generate public sympathy and intimidate opponents. Threats, in fact, are part of terrorist "talking points," The Washington Times reported.
"Jihadis pursue these strategies using sophisticated, modern methods of communications and public relations," said Steven Corman, director of the school's Consortium for Strategic Communication and a Defense Department consultant on communications networks and counterterrorism.
"There's evidence in the documents that jihadis segment audiences and adapt their message to the audience," Corman said.
The report cites similar demonstrations as the "ideological machinery" of terrorist organizations, which maintain formal information committees and are adept at using print, broadcast and online resources on a global basis.
The Internet provides such a promising terrorist forum that Corman suggests the United States create a permanent "geek battalion" to disrupt jihadist message boards and Web sites.
