Guidelines for BBC reporters advise against using the term "terrorist":
We must report acts of terror quickly, accurately, fully and responsibly. Our credibility is undermined by the careless use of words which carry emotional or value judgements. The word "terrorist" itself can be a barrier rather than an aid to understanding. We should try to avoid the term, without attribution. We should let other people characterise while we report the facts as we know them.
We should not adopt other people's language as our own. It is also usually inappropriate to use words like "liberate", "court martial" or "execute" in the absence of a clear judicial process. We should convey to our audience the full consequences of the act by describing what happened. We should use words which specifically describe the perpetrator such as "bomber", "attacker", "gunman", "kidnapper", "insurgent, and "militant". Our responsibility is to remain objective and report in ways that enable our audiences to make their own assessments about who is doing what to whom.
Invite students to discuss the guidelines. Do they understand why the BBC is keen to avoid using the word terrorist? Why is it important for it to maintain objectivity?
For a written exercise, ask students to define terrorism in their own words. The aim would be to come up with a short description which everyone – from any side or allegiance – could agree with.
Afterwards, discuss how easy students found the task. Critique different attempts. They may be interested to know that there is no agreed United Nations definition of terrorism.
Show them the definition by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation:
The unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.
Are students impressed with that definition? What are its strengths and weaknesses?
What is a terrorist buster?
If students need some quiet relief after the brain-challenging task of defining terrorism, try this.
Show students this logo, taking care to only show the logo, not the rest of the website.
Ask them to say what they think it is.
If you like, give them a choice. Is it:
- a cartoon character from the comic Viz that was dropped for being in bad taste?
- a "terrorist buster" logo used by the CIA's counter intelligence centre?
- part of promotional material for a proposed remake of the 1980s film Ghostbusters, sponsored by a firm that makes semi-automatic assault rifles?
Vote. Then reveal the true answer – number 2.
Invite students to think why the CIA needs a terrorism buster logo. There are no known right answers to this – so anyone's guess is as good as anyone else's.
| 
