Mass Media and Modern Warfare: Reporting on the Russian War on Terrorism

Simons tackles the complicated, yet essential role of mass media in society during the current Global War on Terror. Mass media are acknowledged as being an essential element of a democratic society. An apparent and simplified basis of the current conflict is that it is an assault on democracy and freedom by Islamic fundamentalists. The building and maintenance of public support is seen as being essential in modern warfare. This has come about due to the increasing politicization of warfare, where losses and gains are measured in political rather than military terms. Added to this is the basic, yet critical assumption that if progress cannot be demonstrated during a war, then by default one is assumed to be losing. A multidisciplinary approach shall be taken to analyzing two facets of what has come to be known as the Global War on Terrorism. By assessing the Russian war on terrorism, this book gives the reader a broader look and understanding of the current struggle.