The Media and Issues of National Security: A Cat Extravaganza

The Media and Issues of National Security: A Cat Extravaganza

As all of you are aware, 7 terrorist attacks took place in Paris, France on November 13, 2015. A total of 130 people were killed during what is now known as the deadliest in the nation since World War II. This prompted high terror alerts worldwide, but specially in their neighboring country, Belgium.

Officials in Belgium began an intense manhunt for Salah Abdeslam, 26, a Brussels citizen. Abdeslam is believed to be associated with the attacks in Paris and according to CNN, his older brother, Brahim Abdeslam, 31, was one of the suicide bombers. The pursuit of Abdeslam and any other possible terrorists in Belgium caused a lockdown in the nation’s capital that lasted 5 days. All eyes were on Brussels and it became the center of the media’s attention.

With an ongoing manhunt, can you think of some problems the media can cause to capture these individuals?

  • disclosing army tactics
  • releasing information that could potentially lead to the capture of suspects
  • put citizens in danger
  •  help suspects to remain undetected
  • cause more panic among citizens

With so much accessibility to information via the internet, the Federal Police in Belgium requested media silence to prevent the release of police operations during their investigations in Brussels, now known as the Brussels Lockdown.

However, since our generation is intensely engaged in social media, it didn’t take long before a new trend was created. Rather than posting crucial information about the ongoing operations, citizens in Brussels initiated a phenomenon that consisted of nothing but cats and kittens. Soon after, their efforts to keep their lips sealed went global, but in the most un-harming way.

I present to you, cuteness overload.

Users turned to social media to express their feelings about terrorism…

Others played coy to the situation…

Some showed concern for their fellow Brussels citizens…

And others were having way too much fun with it…

These are times when it is crucial to come together as a nation and do our part during difficult circumstances. It is also the media’s ethical responsibility to refrain from publishing information that can jeopardize the well being of citizens.

The solution: A Media Regulation Emergency Plan for national security during times of crisis.

  • Contribute to crisis management
  • Aid federal investigations
  • Prevent the spread of false/leaked information
  • Keep terrorists, criminals and suspects uninformed
  • Prevent disclosure of army tactics and proceedings

If things hit the fan, let’s come together, as one nation, and do our part.

Following the #BrusselsLockdown, the Crisis Center in Belgium sent out a tweet thanking its’ citizens and the media for their silence online during the intervention process.

Not only did the Brussels Lockdown contribute to the capture of several suspected terrorists, but it also helped citizens on a more psychological aspect. The media overload of cats and kittens gave people something heart warming to view after the events that unfolded in Paris.

And who doesn’t get all warm and fuzzy looking at such cuteness?

Special thanks to the Norman Animal Welfare Center for allowing me to record some of the cats and kittens they currently have for adoption.

3428 Jenkins
Norman, Ok 73069

(405) 292-9736

#adoptdontbuy

Do you agree that publications should hold information from the general public when it comes to issues of national security? Feel free to share your thoughts below.

 

 

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/23/belgian-authorities-charge-fourth-suspect-terrorism-offences

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/22/brussels-lockdown-arrests-made-shots-fired-in-salah-abdeslam-hunt.html

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/11/22/belgians-tweet-cat-pictures-with-brusselslockdown-amid-manhunt.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salah_Abdeslam

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