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Published in the Slovak Republic Media Education (Mediaobrazovanie) Has been issued since 2005 ISSN 1994-4160 E-ISSN 1994-4195 2020, 60(2): 345-357
DOI: 10.13187/me.2020.2.345 www.ejournal53.com
Mass Media in the System of Countering the Ideology of Terrorism in the Global Dimension
Sergey Vorontsov a , *, Andrey Goloborodko b, Alexander Ponedelkov c, Olga Kravets b
a Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation, Russian Federation b Anton Chekhov Institute, Russian Federation
c Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation, Russian Federation
Abstract
The article presents the authors' point of view concerning the issues of values and the role of the media in anti-terrorist propaganda; on the basis of expert assessments it explores the nature of propaganda activities of terrorist organizations in order to identify effective measures of the system counteracting terrorism threats, assesses the danger of the ideology of terrorism to society, considers measures to counter terrorist propaganda. In connection with the need to improve the effectiveness of countering the spread of terrorist ideology in the media space, the authors formulated some proposals for organizing the fight against the ideology of terrorism.
In the course of the study, the authors formulate the following conclusions: countering the ideology of terrorism is a basic component of Russia's national security system. Today, not only the Russian Federation, but the world community as a whole, is facing a new challenge to global security - the need to protect modern means of communication from their rapid transformation into propaganda weapons of fundamentalist terrorist groups. Media content is one of the most dangerous aspects of modern terrorism. The media is the most efficient and effective way to influence the mass understanding of terrorism. In this regard, the key goal of all subjects of informative counteraction to terrorism is to create a system that provides coverage of acts of the terrorist nature only from unfavorable positions. In the field of counter-terrorism, the results of media activities can have both a positive effect that helps society and government agencies in the fight against this threat, and, on the contrary, an extremely negative one. An important area of discrediting terrorist and extremist organizations in society is changing the way national security is ensured in the media sphere, first of all, preventing actions of a propaganda nature. Today, it is very important that the media become a powerful means of fighting terrorism and preventing it.
Keywords: mass media, media space, ideology of terrorism, anti-terrorist propaganda, information security, measures of counteraction.
* Corresponding author
E-mail addresses: [email protected] (S.A. Vorontsov), [email protected] (A.Yu. Goloborodko), [email protected] (A.V. Ponedelkov), [email protected] (O.V. Kravets)
1. Introduction
Recently, terrorism has entered the media space, where it has become a radical form of political protest. The ideology of extremism and terrorism is a direct threat to the national and international security of the country, damaging the physical, mental and social health of people.
According to the Russian National Security Strategy, the activities of terrorist and extremist organizations aimed at forcible change of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation and destabilizing the work of State authorities are among the main threats to State and public security (Presidential Decree..., 2015). Security refers to the ability of civil society to develop itself in conflict, uncertainty, risk and the realization of this ability and opportunity in reality (Vorontsov,
2013).
Recently, one of the goals of terrorist and extremist organizations in the media space is to provide media coverage of ideology and terrorist acts committed at the global level. The media, as the most powerful source of information for the masses, are seen by them as an essential channel for transmitting their frightening "messages" to society and putting pressure on authorities.
Reflecting on this content, it is important to note that today, first of all, the main purpose of the campaign should be to consider the formation of an anti-terrorist world view in society to provide the population with immunity to various attempts of involvement in terrorist activities, a sharp reduction of the social support of terrorists and their intermediaries, and condemn of the use of terrorist methods under any ideological principles.
And here the key role is assigned to media resources, the application of their capabilities in the system of counteracting the ideology of terrorism.
2. Materials and methods
The authors 'study is an attempt to analyze, based on the expert assessments, the specifics of propaganda activities of the ideology of terrorism in the information society.
Given the high relevance of the issues raised, the authors aim to study the driving force of the terrorist propaganda in the media space and the effectiveness of the measures of the system to counter threats of the terrorist nature.
The main material for this article was the field of foreign and domestic books, monographs, articles, to some extent related to the study of the peculiarities of counteracting the ideology of terrorism: K Ferguson (Ferguson, 2016), А. Glazzard (Glazzard, 2017), S. Hoffman (Hoffman, 2002), М. Innes (Innes, 2014), А. Kundani (Kundani, 2009), G. LaFree (LaFree, 2017), В. Lee (Lee, 2019), J. Marthoz (Marthoz, 2017), J. Martin (Martin, 2017), A. Singh (Singh ,2016), G. Weimann (Weimann, 2000; 2004; 2014), S. Vorontsov, A. Goloborodko, A. Podedelkov (Vorontsov, Goloborodko, Ponedelkov, 2018; 2019), R.V. Golubin, S.I. Grachev (Golubin, Grachev, 2007), S.A. Zelinsky (Zelinsky, 2008), V.M. Maslennikov (Maslennikov, 2015), O.V. Severtsov (Severtsov, 2016), S.V. Sidorova (Sidorova, 2009), V. Tsyganov (Tsyganov, 2004), and a questionnaire developed on the basis of the Comprehensive Plan to Counter the Ideology of Terrorism in the Russian Federation for 2019-2023 years.
Basic methods of research were: comparative analysis of problems of this topic, analysis of discussions of scientists about the system of counteracting the ideology of terrorism, survey, comparison, synthesis, generalization, specification, abstraction.
3. Discussion
Professor of the University of George Washington on J. Post calls terrorism "media-phenomenon" and believes to consider it as a specific form of the psychological foyer, Implemented through mass media. It is through the media that terrorists gain unlimited opportunities to influence power and public opinion, to carry out mass information attacks, which in turn is a prerequisite for success in information aggression, which is the main component of almost any terrorist act at all stages of its implementation. "Media-terrorism" generates and stimulates chaos, The destruction of social stability, the strengthening of an atmosphere of "paralyzing pessimism," the rise of social tensions and conflicts, disrupting the normal functioning of the structures of power, undermining public confidence in the actions and intentions of the authorities (Tsyganov, 2004: 25).
Besides, Jean-Paul Marthoz, in his study, holds the view that "terrorism is not a new phenomenon. Many countries have suffered for decades from groups, both internal and external, including both State and non-state actors, using violence against civilians as a political strategy.
In many cases, the local population grew stronger and more resilient, which proved that cruelty, in the long run, could not be matched by progress in unity and common values. In this context, the media play a crucial role in providing reliable information and informed opinion. During a tense climate of crisis, when the population is on edge and passions break out, this is becoming increasingly important. The relationship between terrorism and the media is complex and has serious consequences. At worst, the symbiotic relations are perverted as the terrorist groups invent violence shows to continue drawing the attention of the world and mass media providing wall-to-wall coverage because of the huge interest of audience" (Marthoz, 2017).
We fully share the opinion of the famous expert on mass media, philosopher, cultural scientist H.M. McLuhan, who noted that the rapid development of modern information technologies leads to the fact that the content of communication recedes into the background, becomes in many ways random, situational, and the means of its implementation acquire increasing possibilities of manipulation of people's consciousness, "zombieing" (McLuhan, 2003). In this context, H.M. McLuhan raises an important problem related to the ability of mass media to manipulate humans.
S.A. Zelinsky continues H.M. McLuhan's ideas about the media as "an expansion". He notes that all forms and means of communication are an "extension of the human body", complementing and improving its functions, primarily vision and hearing. The effectiveness of mass communication is determined not only by the goals and objectives of influencing readers, listeners, viewers of transmitted messages but also by the conformity of their content and form with the constant information needs of people (Zelinsky, 2008).
At the same time, S.A. Zelinsky underlines that the media can be used for propaganda purposes. The target audience can be governments, organizations, groups and individuals. According to S.A. Zelinsky, "the media is the most powerful tool used by the ruling class to manipulate the masses. They form opinions and viewpoints, define what is normal and acceptable" (Zelinsky, 2008). Thus, the media acts as an intermediary between the real life of man and society, moral priorities.
These ideas are also reflected in the works of G. Weimann, the author of numerous studies on the social influence of the media, political campaigns and new media technologies; analysis of the contemporary media content (Weimann, 2000; 2004; 2006; 2014). The author emphasizes: "Terrorists have solid reasons for using special networks".
First, these channels are by far the most popular among target audiences, which can make terrorist organizations part of the mainstream. Second, social media channels are easy to use, reliable and free. After all, social media allows terrorists to reach their target group and actually "knock on their doors" - as opposed to older website models where terrorists had to wait for visitors to come to them (Weimann, 2014).
It is no secret that recently terrorist organizations use the Internet very actively to organize and attract new members (LaFree, 2017).
Thus, the study of the Russian language media content by Russian scientists showed that in recent years the propaganda of Islamists on the Internet, including the Russian-speaking segment, has made a sharp leap in qualitative and quantitative terms. "In fact, Russia has faced a national security threat of a very different type: militants who went to fight in Syria on the side of Islamists have entered a community that is largely different from the Wahhabite underground operating in the North Caucasus. This phenomenon is widely manifested on Internet sites" (Vorontsov,Goloborodko, Ponedelkov, 2018).
In addition, "for the first time Islamist international terrorist organizations began to carry out mass and professional propaganda in Russian social networks, using a wide and almost uncontrolled toolkit of "new media" (Vorontsov,Goloborodko, Ponedelkov, 2018). Undoubtedly, all this poses a threat to the political stability and national security of the Russian Federation, both in the short and medium term.
In turn, it should be emphasized that terrorism is often viewed through the conceptual framework of globalization theory. Researchers argue that globalization, even if it is a terrorist attack, creates resistance to those countries that are at the forefront of globalization. Some scholars view terrorism as a defensive reaction, as a movement against global forces that are changing the culture and economic order of society (Hoffman, 2002: 104). Certainly, here we speak about the most resonant and large-scale operations of terrorist activity.
We dare to state that today the world community and the Russian Federation are faced with a new challenge to global security - the importance and need to protect modern media from their rapid transformation into propaganda weapons of fundamentalist terrorist groups. Media content is one of the most dangerous aspects of modern terrorism. Its ideologists quickly adapt to the changing situation, effectively use the real problems of the modern world, international and internal conflicts, and crises, and carry out active propaganda. The proliferation of high-speed mobile Internet access and the emergence of social networks that are not protected by barriers have contributed to increased propaganda by terrorist organizations, using the media as the most powerful tool for spreading their ideology.
Let us note that the above-mentioned material proves the negative influence of the information component on terrorist activities and the use of the media by organizers and mediators of terrorist acts as an efective means of popularizing their crimes and achieving their goals. Therefore, one of the priority tasks of the State and society concerning the media in the field of preventing extremism and terrorism is to minimize their use by terrorist organizations.
Further we prefer to talk about the positive role of media in the system of prevention of the terrorist ideology. In our view, the media are the most powerful tool for the efective prevention, detection and suppression of terrorist manifestations.
According to R.L. Syukiyanen (Syukiyanen, 2005: 109), the ideological aspect is one of the basic components of the fight against extremism and terrorism.
A considerable number of works of foreign scientists are devoted to the study of aspects of counteracting the ideology of terrorism, which are focused on the development of a system of prevention of terrorist acts based on political design or formation of attitude of the community to it (Kundani,2009; Singh, 2016), introduction of human rights and tools in and the boost of interaction between the media and public policy (Howard, 2014; Innes, 2014;Lee, 2019).
Domestic researchers L.N. Pankova, Y.V. Taranukha, studying the ways of preventing extremism and terrorism, suggest that "television, radio, print publications and other types of traditional media, which have a significant audience, are the most suitable channels for alerting citizens about the threat" (Pankova, 2010: 247). Today, the State is actively cooperating with the media to organize the prevention of the spread of terrorism and extremism in society. According to M.V. Seslavinsky, the following main forms of interaction are forums, conferences, special courses on coverage of extreme situations for journalists. Quite reasonably, the author claims that today "the main role of the media in the prevention of terrorism is recognized, and this potential is actively used, especially in terms of public warning and educational work" (Seslavinsky, 2014: 64).
However, there was no balance between the key factors of public policy. It is understood that this threat cannot be tackled without joint actions. It is necessary to continue to search for the formats convenient for both sides, for example, one of the recommendations of experts in this field is the establishment of a permanent information centre to respond to terrorist threats. In this center there can be a pool of rapid response to terrorist attacks, "which would include representatives of news agencies of TV channels and other representatives of mass media, they would regulate and coordinate coverage of terrorist events directly from the center" (Golubin, Grachev, 2007: 223).
So, the content analysis confirms that the topic of information support of anti-terrorist activities and the use of media potential in this direction is one of the most important in the discussion about publicity of state policy in the field of counter-terrorism. In our view, if the abyss between mass media begins to widen, the delicate link between the State and society will begin to diminish, which will inevitably lead to very negative consequences.
The above-mentioned studies reveal the essential characteristics of terrorism, the role of the information capabilities in the modern world, which can both promote and counter terrorism, and propose some measures to combat terrorism in all its manifestations. At the same time, we have found that today there are no detailed studies on the use of media content in the counter-terrorism system, proposals to state structures and mass media on the organization of information counter-terror are not fully systematized, modern research is fragmented and debatable, only indicating an overall picture of the existing problem, which indicates a lack of scientific development. It is very important that the media become a powerful tool for combating and preventing terrorism.
4. Results
In order to identify the specifics of propaganda activities of terrorist content and to determine effective measures of systemic counteraction to terrorist propaganda the Laboratory of problems of increasing the efficiency of State and municipal management of the South-Russian Institute of Management, branch of RANEPA (Rostov-on-Don), carried out a sociological study in the form of a survey in August - September 2019.
The study covered 25 regions of the Russian Federation: St. Petersburg, Rostov region, Moscow region, Astrakhan region, Volgograd region, Kurgan region, Saratov region, Sverdlovsk region, Smolensk region, Chelyabinsk region, Yaroslavl region; Altay Krai, Kamchatka Krai, Krasnodar krai, Stavropol krai; Republics - Adygea, Bashkortostan, Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkan, Karachai-Cherkessia, Karelia, Komi, North Ossetia-Alania, Tatarstan.
About 200 experts were interviewed in Rostov region, 53 % of whom are employees of the authorities of the subject of the Federation and local self-government; 15 % - researchers, teachers of universities and schools; 8% - members of public organizations and employees of mass media, culture, non-governmental organizations; 2 % - members of religious organizations; 1 % -representatives of large and medium-sized businesses; 21 % - law enforcement officials and veterans.
According to the period of work, experts are distributed as follows: up to 5 years 24 % of experts, from 5 to 10 - 29 %, from 10 to 20 - 24 % , 20 to 30 - 8 %, over 30 - 15 %.
By the age under 25 years, 1 per cent of experts; 26 to 30 - 4 %; from 30 to 39 - 11 %; 40 to 49 - 28 %; 50 to 59 - 35 %; from 60 and older - 21%.
The wording of the questions and the answer options are presented in the wording proposed by the experts.
We consider it appropriate to present below the most significant aspects of the sociological survey, which assesses the effectiveness of promoting the ideology of terrorism.
1. Given that the Comprehensive Plan set out as a priority the explanation of the essence and danger of the ideology of terrorism, the question was of practical interest: do experts themselves know what the ideology of terrorism is?
The results showed that an overwhelming number of experts (96 %) know or rather know the content of this negative phenomenon (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1. The results of expert assessments in the context of understanding the essence of the ideology of terrorism
2. Is there a problem of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism in modern Russia? The results of the survey showed that the vast majority of experts (51 %) believe that this problem exists. The results are shown in more detail in Fig.2.
3. The expected consensus of experts was shown in assessing the danger of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism to society. Thus, 96 % of the participants of the study believe that this activity is dangerous, 3 % believe that it is more dangerous. Only 1 % of experts chose the answer "rather not dangerous".
4. With regard to the objectives pursued by the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism, 49 % of the experts pointed out the intimidation of the population aimed at undermining existing power, initiated by Russia 's geopolitical opponents.
Fig. 2. The results of expert assessments in the context of understanding the existence of the problem of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism
28 % of the experts believe that the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism is aimed at the violent achievement of political aims by the supporters of extremist organizations.
16 % of the survey participants believe that the purpose of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism is to intimidate the population, and it is organized by the supporters of religious extremist organizations.
It is worth a deeper study that 6 % of the experts see the violent achievement of political goals by the supporters of radical opposition as the goal of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism. The phenomenon presented by the Ukrainian "Maidans" as an instrument for the overthrow of the constitutional order are not yet fully understood by society. The results of the survey are shown in Fig. 3-
The intimidation of the population initiated by the supporters of extremist religious organizations
The violent achievement of political goals by the supporters of radical opposition
The violent achievement of political aims by the supporters of extremist organizations
The intimidation of the population aimed at undermining existing power, initiated by Russia's geopolitical opponents.
0% 5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%
Fig. 3. The results of expert assessments in the context of defining the objectives of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism
5. Analyzing the characteristics that fit the definition of the content of the concept of "propaganda of the terrorist ideology" as the first rank position, experts pointed at "violence" (82 %), on the second position - "commitment to extreme views" (61 %), closes the three leading characteristics - "violation of the law" (60 %).
The choice of such characteristics of terrorist propaganda as the revolutionary movement, which experts put on the 4th position (48 %), draws attention. This fact, in our view, is a cause for concern, as the media, in publications on terrorist and extremist manifestations, often use the term "revolutionaries," political prisoners", etc., romanticizing the appearance of offenders, which can contribute to the involvement of marginalized children in the ranks of terrorists. The obtained data are reflected in Fig. 4.
6. Ranking hypotheses about the driving forces of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism, most experts put radical Islamic groups outside Russia at the first rank (88 %), 59 % of experts see foreign intelligence agencies as the driving force for propaganda of the ideology of terrorism, 58 % - radical Islamic groups located in Russia.
The view of 20 % experts is noteworthy that the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism is driven by mentally unstable individuals, who, according to the experts, are more than political opponents of the regime (19 %).
Fig. 4. The results of expert assessments in the context of the analysis of the concept of "propaganda of the ideology of terrorism"
7. Among the subjects of opposition to the propaganda of terrorist ideology 95 % of experts put on the first rank position the FSB bodies of Russia, on the second position - the National Anti-Terrorism Committee (89 %), then the bodies of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia (60 %). Thus, the participants of the survey see as the main subjects of counteraction to propaganda of the ideology of terrorism the power structures engaged in the fight against terrorism, as well as coordination of anti-terrorist activities.
State authorities (43 %) and local self-government bodies (29 %), which by definition should be the leading subjects of opposition to the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism, are not such in the assessments of the experts.
At the same time, 56 % of the experts are aware of the role and place in countering the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism of anti-terrorist commissions in subjects and municipalities.
8. Assessing the dynamics of propaganda for the spread of terrorist ideology in Russia, most experts believe that the situation remains stable (30 %), there is a tendency to decrease slightly (21 %), or significantly decrease (7 %).
27 % of experts noted the growth of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism, but it is not large, 5 % of experts believe that there is a significant increase in this threat. The obtained data are shown in Fig. 5.
stable
30%
Fig. 5. The results of the expert assessments in the context of assessing the dynamics of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism
9. In assessing the effectiveness of countering the propaganda of terrorism in the country, the region and the municipality, the experts noted that this work is not always carried out effectively (59 %, 49 %, 47 %, respectively). The experts pointed to the insufficient level of this work respectively: 16 %, 15 %, 15 %.
The experts are convinced that the work to counter the propaganda of terrorism in the country, the region and the municipality is carried out very effectively (21 %, 29 %, 31 %).
10. 61.0% of the experts involved in the sociological survey believe that the powers of the authorities in the country, in the subject and in the municipality correspond to the solution of the tasks to counter the ideology of terrorism.
This opinion of most experts suggests a significant improvement in the legal basis for the process of countering the ideology of terrorism in recent years. At the same time, 19 % of experts believe that the available powers to solve this task are insufficient.
11. The views of the experts were also markedly divided on the question of the conformity of the amount of budgetary financing of units of authorities in the subjects and in the municipalities to solve the problems of countering the ideology of terrorism.
Only 19 % of experts are satisfied with the amount of budget funding, 22 % believe that the established funding does not fully correspond, and 22 % believe that the allocated funds do not correspond to the qualitative solution of the tasks to counter the ideology of terrorism.
12. Experts were more unanimous when answering the question: "Do you feel safe from terrorist threats?" So, 8 % of experts feel completely protected from terrorist threats, 62% of respondents chose the option "I think so" Not sure about their security against terrorist threats 19 % of experts and 3 % feel completely unprotected.
According to the experts, the vulnerability of the individual, society and the State to the terrorist threat is due to:
• liberal views;
• existence of the national, religious problems having importance for the State and society and connected with its self-assessment, spirituality, fundamental values, traditions and customs;
• lack of the uniform state platform (ideology) combining efforts of all population of Russia and bodies of the state (municipal) power in achievement of strategic objectives;
• social and economic problems, stratification of society, social inequality;
• imposing the religious ideas on the population;
• the growth of aggression from any human rights organizations financed from abroad which gains more and more hidden character;
• the indifference of bulk of the population to possible terrorist threat;
• education shortcomings of family, inefficient work on education of youth;
• the use of new information technologies by terrorists.
13. Quite categorically the experts assessed the possibility of any circumstances justifying the person spreading the ideology of terrorism. Thus, 76 % of experts completely reject this possibility and 19 % chose the answer - rather not. 2 % of the respondents are ready to justify such a person if the life of his family members depends on these actions, or there is a threat to the life and health of loved ones. No expert is prepared to justify those who spread the ideology of terrorism. 3 % found it difficult to answer. The obtained data are shown in Fig.6.
Fig. 6. The results of expert assessments in the context of the possibility of justifying a person spreading the ideology of terrorism
14. In answering the question whether the experts considered the persons spreading the ideology of terrorism to be criminals, 82% of the experts answered affirmatively, 15 % chose the option "very likely".
15. 92 % of experts believe that the activities of the persons spreading the ideology of terrorism should be suppressed by law enforcement agencies, and 6 % of experts chose the option of answering "very likely".
16. The views of the experts were divided when answering the question: is it permissible to restrict the rights and freedoms of citizens at the sake of public security in order to counter the ideology of terrorism?
Thus, 66 % of the experts agree with the right of the State and society to protect themselves from propaganda of terrorist ideology using methods that restrict the rights and freedoms of citizens in cases established by law. 19 % of experts disagree. 4 % of experts believe that:
- restrictions can be allowed only under strict control from prosecutor's office, court and civil society, excepting the use of these restrictions in favor of these or those political forces;
- everything depends on what measures the rights and freedoms and what objectives at the same time will be really achieved, will be limited, and not just be declared;
- restrictions are admissible with appropriate control from supervisory authorities of those structures which will limit the rights and freedom of the citizens.
17. The answers of the experts on the level of their awareness of the problem of countering the ideology of terrorism are of practical interest in order to form an idea of the real situation in this field.
Thus, 47 % experts, probably representing anti-terrorist commissions, believe that they have sufficient knowledge of the real situation in the field under consideration. Contrary to them, 47 % experts are convinced that there is not enough information to draw reasonable conclusions about the real situation of countering the ideology of terrorism. 3 % of experts noted that they did not have the necessary information.
18. In our opinion, it should be positively estimated that 68 % of experts got acquainted with the "Comprehensive Plan to Counter the Ideology of Terrorism in the Russian Federation for 20192023". At the same time, 32 % of experts rated this document as ineffective, and 65 % are convinced of the effectiveness of the measures included in the plan.
It is noteworthy that the number of the experts who consider the plan ineffective coincides with the number of the experts who are not familiar with the document.
19. The lack of awareness among experts on countering the ideology of terrorism has prompted them to rank the channels for receiving information on this issue.
To the first rank position experts put television (83 %), on the second, on the significant distance - social networks (61 %), on the third - newspapers and magazines (51 %). Also, among the sources of the information search, experts mentioned meetings with the representatives of law enforcement agencies, broadcasts of radio stations and conversations with the immediate environment.
20. It is worth noting that in the last 3 years 66 % of the experts did not participate in the work of programs of professional development of state (municipal) employees on the issues of counteracting the ideology of terrorism, 15 % (apparently, employees of ATC) participated repeatedly, 19 % - once. It seems that given the persistence of terrorist threats and challenges in the foreseeable period, this work should be intensified. The obtained data are shown in Fig. 7.
21. According to the experts, the main spread of propaganda of terrorist ideology, is realized via the Internet (99 % is the first rank item). For the second rank, the experts put channels of religious propaganda (this is Islamism), implemented with the assistance of persons trained abroad (87 % and 80 %).
A significant place (74 %) in the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism was given by the experts to the media opposition to the authorities, to which the attention of supervisory bodies should be drawn. Of course, it cannot be a matter of introducing censorship, but the level of self-censorship of journalists, as well as the level of counter-propaganda, should be significantly increased.
22. Of clear interest is the opinion of the experts on the motives of Russians adjacent to the activities of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism in their country.
Immediate surroundings
The information of press service and law enforcement bodies The meetings with the representatives of law enforcement bodies
Newspapers and magazines
Radio
Television
Social networks
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Fig. 7. The analysis of expert assessments in the context of participation in advanced training within the framework of countering the ideology of terrorism
According to the experts, in most cases this is influenced by mercantile considerations (the first rank position is 85 %). The second most important motive, indicated by the experts is the ideological confrontation to the existing power.
In a number of cases, the experts believe, Russians participated in the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism under the influence of injustice of power, mainly in the field, as well as due to the sense of hopelessness.
Of particular note is the opinion of the experts (51 %) that the convergence of activities to promote the ideology of terrorism is due to the desire of some young people to "become famous". At any cost, apart from the Herostrat complex, they have no other ways reach television screens and news reports.
23. Answering the question, who does effective opposition to the ideology of terrorism in the conditions of modern political processes in Russia depend on most? - The experts gave first priority to the state (92 %). The second position was taken by the media (60 %), which form public opinion. This is followed by the population, public organizations, religious figures and politicians.
24. Given the "vitality" of the ideology of terrorism, it is interesting to study the reasons of, according to the experts, the citizens' interest in the ideology of terrorism.
The experts highlighted the decline in living standards as the main reasons; social and economic problems; social tension and pessimism; lack of permanent work and low earnings; criminalization of different spheres of life; "Islamic factor" and subversive activities of foreign terrorist organizations; ineffective work on the ideological education of young people; shortcomings in family education.
25. The opinion of the experts on possible areas of increasing opposition to the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism in the region, which should be given priority, is of great interest.
The experts among these directions put the improvement of interaction of civil society with law enforcement agencies (49.9 %) in the first position. The second most important direction experts see improvement of the whole system of education of young people and work with families (44 %). The third position takes the increase of influence of civil society (39 %).
Thus, the experts see the ways to strengthen opposition to the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism not in strengthening the power component implemented by law enforcement agencies, but in the implementation of civil technologies, in improving educational work with young people, in improving preventive work with persons exposed to the ideology of terrorism, in forming an anti-terrorist consciousness in the population.
26. Among the priority measures that need to be taken to reduce the vulnerability of young people to the influence of the ideology of terrorism, the experts mentioned the intensification of work in the information space, including on social Internet networks (60 %), systematic antiterrorist educational, cultural and educational activities on the basis of educational organizations (59 %), implementation of measures aimed at the formation of religious, inter-ethnic tolerance, including through the organization of youth interregional educational forums (48 %).
The proposals include involvement of young people in practical work on the preparation and implementation of anti-terrorist projects deserve attention; involvement of religious leaders and
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reputable politicians with young people, despite their opposition; development of the system of training of young personnel involved in countering terrorism, information confrontation on the Internet, system organization of scientific seminars, trainings, advanced training courses on the basis of educational organizations of higher education.
27. Assessing the types of ideology of terrorism that pose the greatest danger, the experts put to the first rank-and-file position the ideology of radical Islam (87 %), followed by ideology related to attempts to inspire "color revolutions" (61 %) and right-wing radical, fascist and racist ideology
(40 %).
28. It should be highlighted that 93% experts are ready not only to advise, but also to assist, as citizens, law enforcement officials in countering the propaganda of the ideology of terrorism. The obtained data are shown in Fig. 8.
29. Among the reasons that reduce the effectiveness of work to counter the ideology of terrorism, the experts pointed out the insufficient interaction of state structures and public organizations, ineffective international cooperation, formalism, insufficient professionalism of responsible persons, the low level of responsibility of officials for failures.
Fig. 8. The analysis of expert assessments in the context of assistance in countering the ideology of terrorism
Thus, the results of the survey make it possible to understand the reasons and conditions contributing to the radicalization of various groups of the population, especially young people, to analyze new organizational forms of propaganda of the ideology of terrorism, to determine the reserves not used by federal executive bodies, authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and local self-government bodies in the organization of counteracting the ideology of terrorism.
We believe that the materials of the sociological study can be used to raise the level of the activities aimed at countering the terrorist ideology; to improve personnel, analytical, organizational, technical and financial support of preventive work in the field of anti-terrorist activities.
5. Conclusion
The main conclusions of the research are the following:
1. To date, not only the Russian Federation, but the world community as a whole, have faced a new challenge to global security - the need to protect modern media from their rapid transformation into propaganda weapons of terrorist groups. Media content is one of the most dangerous aspects of modern terrorism.
2. Terrorist and extremist organizations are trying to ensure the widest possible media coverage of their activities in order to intimidate the population, gain publicity and propagate extremist ideology.
3. Today, the media are the most effective means of influencing mass consciousness and the fight against terrorism. In fact, they are weapons in a ruthless and uncompromising war imposed on humanity by the international forces of terrorism. These weapons are as dangerous as they are effective. Therefore, the competent use of media resources can ensure significant success, and the wrong - serious harm.
In this regard, the most important task of addressing all issues of informative reduction of terrorist threats is the creation of a mechanism to ensure that terrorist activities are covered exclusively by negative positions, regardless of what they try to conceal and disguise.
4. An important direction of discrediting terrorist and extremist organizations in society is changing the approach to ensuring national security in the media space, especially the prevention of propaganda acts of terrorism. It is very important that the media become a powerful tool for combating terrorism and for preventing it.
5. In assessing the results of the activities to prevent propaganda of ideology by terrorists, a sociological study was carried out, the results of which suggest that the state authorities and local self-government have managed to reduce the level of terrorism compared to previous years, but the threat of committing crimes of this nature remains mainly due to the spread of ideology of terrorism.
6. In these circumstances, the effective fight against terrorist and extremist activities is impossible without the establishment of a State system to counter information, including a theoretically sound concept and a practically proven methodology adapted to regional characteristics.
7. One of the priorities of the State policy of ideological fight against extremism and terrorism should be working with the younger generation and young people. In view of the fact that today young people are one of the basic objects of aspirations on the part of adherents of new ideologies in order to increase the number of their followers.
8. In this regard, it is necessary to develop and legally establish rules for the coverage of terrorist acts in the media. Improving the legal regulation of public relations in the field of information security should become one of the priority areas of State policy. Today, Russia has all the necessary resources to ensure its information security.
As some recommendations for organizing a system of anti-terrorist propaganda, we can propose: development of the necessary directions of State policy for the implementation of measures to improve foreign policy; organization of Russian missions abroad in order to eliminate the dissemination of unreliable information about the foreign policy of the Russian Federation; improving the quality of information support for activities to prevent violations of the rights of Russian citizens and legal entities abroad; forming a positive image of executive authorities and employees of various specialized units engaged in activities in the framework of the fight against terrorism; boost of motivation on the part of the civilian population to assist in fighting terrorist threats; enhancing the use of media content in the counter-terrorism system; establishing a mechanism for law enforcement agencies to interact with users of social networks and the Internet in general. This will successfully organize the work on collection, synthesis and analysis of monitoring results of social networks, blogosphere and forums, which, in turn, will help to identify the most acute problems, contradictory situations affecting public opinion, causing protests, contradictory attitudes and aggressive attacks.
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