Discussion
Essay
Effects of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on media technology
by Alayne Moody
November 21, 2001
Government officials and journalists described the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 as an act of war. The appropriateness of this phrase is arguable because we cannot easily identify our enemy, however the term has been embraced by most people in government, media and public spheres, suggesting that Americans indeed are adopting a war-time mentality. As a result, journalists, like all Americans, will lose access to information and events. They will also lose a degree of creative and commentary freedom. However, in terms of media technologies, the attacks could lead to accelerated development of new communications systems and devices that eventually will be used by the mass media. In the following paragraphs, I will discuss how this might occur.
Federal investigators are beefing up security and surveillance efforts at airports and other public places. They are also doing it on the Internet. This is one important way in which the terrorist attacks are limiting the freedom of Americans to move and communicate. This may be a concern for private citizens who are using the Internet to share ideas and information with a limited group of users. Journalists anticipate that their messages will be consumed by the masses -- including government officials -- so this does not seem to be as much of a concern for media professionals.
The more important effect on the media will come in the form of limited access to information and events. One example of this is the restriction on small aircraft flights. Television helicopters and planes are included in this designation, making it difficult for TV videographers to capture desired angles and get to the site of distant news events (RCFP, 2001). Likewise, governments may withhold information from the media in the interest of national security. Generally, reporters access will be restricted for security purposes at most high profile events. For example, the number of media passes given out for the upcoming Emmy Awards is much lower than in years past.
Limited access to news events and technology impinges on the press' ability to be creative and autonomous. Reporters are more dependent on "official, pre-fabricated" information. For example, when news helicopters are unable to fly over New York, the press must use photos provided and approved by the government. A media lock-down at the local airport means that news reports reflect sanitized information released by the airport spokesperson. Security, whether national or public, will become the journalist's Achille's heel. Journalists have a duty to serve in the interest of the public, so in theory, security is a good reason to withhold a report. However, journalists will not be given the opportunity to consciously do this if they are flat out denied the information.
The media also may become a smaller "marketplace of ideas" if the U.S. proceeds with a large-scale military campaign. Anti-war or anti-nationalistic commentary will not be popular. A media model called the "spiral of silence" assumes that these unpopular commentaries will disappear, either through management censorship or social pressure.
Technology companies have and will continue to suffer in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks (McKay, 2001; Louis, 2001). People have questioned the value of technology because it did not help prevent the attacks (James, 2001). The industry may struggle in the short run to regain credibility and attract investors in a difficult economy. However, the military and intelligence retaliation being planned by multiple governments will stimulate the technology industry. New systems and devices will be developed to locate and capture the terrorist cells. Eventually, these technologies will become available to the media and public.
Satellite imaging became available to commercial and research enterprises in just this way. It was used for spying (i.e., government intelligence) during the cold war, but the government eventually released the technology for commercial and research uses. Also, government investment in communication technologies will stimulate the industry as a whole, generating development of new technologies that the media can use right away.
Sources
(2001). Helicopter ban in wake of attacks frustrates broadcast journalists. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Located Sept. 21, 2001 at http://www.rcfp.org/news/2001/0921helico.html
James, K. (2001, September 20). Using technology to thwart terrorist attacks. The Business Times Singapore, p.24.
Louis, A. M. (2001, September 29). Bay area firms take double hit. The San Francisco Chronicle, p. E1.
McKay, N. (2001, September 28). Closing US economic doors will hit technology. The Irish Times, p. 59.