Searching for a Demon: The Media Construction of the Militia MovementThis provocative volume thoroughly examines 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, Steven M. 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 and ignited a national panic over the "militia menace." Searching for a Demon describes the representation of the militia movement in the news media, editorial cartoons, films, and television. Chermak delves into such topics as the type and amount of coverage after the blast, how social problems are constructed in the news, the motivations and biases of authoritative or "celebrity" figures used as news sources, and why images of militias were framed in specific ways. Chermak balances his account with an in-depth look at the philosophies, activities, and strategies of militia groups. Drawing on extensive interviews he conducted at gun shows and preparedness exhibitions, the author compares and contrasts media depictions of militia life and ideology with the firsthand accounts of members and leaders themselves, and he assesses how media coverage affected changes in the movement. In conclusion, Chermak 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 September 11, 2001, attacks. Solidly grounded in social constructionist theory, Searching for a Demon fills a significant gap in the literature on terrorism as well as on the roles of the news media and popular culture in reshaping the public consciousness after dramatic crimes. |
Contents
Constructing Community Boundaries | 3 |
Ruby Ridge and Waco Revisited | 23 |
The Rise and Fall of Militias | 49 |
Voices of Good and Evil | 74 |
Terrorists and Outsiders | 109 |
CHAPTER 6 | 118 |
Confirming the Threat | 143 |
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Common terms and phrases
activities agents American antigovernment Arlington Road arrested BATF believed Bo Gritz boundaries Branch Davidians celebrity figures citizens claims-makers Clinton concerns conspiracy construction created crime criminal justice dangerous define Delta Force demonization deviant discussed emphasized enforcement example experts extremist groups fears films focused frames Gritz gun control hearings ideology images incident individuals interviewed investigation involved issues Koresh Lampley law-enforcement officials legislation legitimacy linked media coverage ment mili militia groups militia leader militia members militia movement militia threat moral panics Morris Dees newspaper Oklahoma City bombing opportunity organizations political popular culture Poverty Law Center presented Press racist Rambo Rambo II Randy Weaver reporters representatives response Ridge and Waco role Ruby Ridge Senate significant social problems social-control social-problems marketplace society sources Southern Poverty Law stories television terrorist Timothy McVeigh tion trial Trochmann understanding United Viper weapons World Order York
References to this book
American Extremism: History, Politics and the Militia Movement Darren Mulloy No preview available - 2004 |