The Real Reason Certain Terror Attacks Get More Coverage Than Others

Mar 23, 2016

As a Lebanese woman living in America, let me humble you here for a second…We know all terrorist attacks are not shown on media equally. We understand that. We also understand the morbid reason why:

because they’re happening on a weekly basis.

Let me put this into clearer terms…people in these countries are used to terrorist attacks and suicide bombers. Yes, just like you’re used to rolling your eyes at Trump, or the consistency of your 4.95 Starbucks coffee, they are used to terrorism. *bold comparison I know, I’m just trying to get the point across how horribly normal it is for them*

This is why it is not always hyped up in main stream media as much as the attacks in places like Brussels, Paris and Boston are.

It is not because the attacks in Brussels and other European nations are more important, it’s because terrorist attacks in these countries are not normal news for media controlled by major American and European outlets-which can go out and cover international stories (CNN, ABC, NBC, etc.)-unlike these other countries which are censored by their government.

For example, in 2015, there were EIGHT acts of terror committed in Lebanon, with the death rate of 62 (with one act not even being included because the death rate could not even be determined), with over 300+ wounded. Let me reiterate that this was in ONE country in ONE year.

I’m a Public Relations and Communications major, and my professors teach me that the rule of thumb is, common things do not make the news. So, as sad as that is, terrorist attacks in this country and others do not make major news headlines as much because it’s unfortunately, merely common news.

I’m in no way trying to undermine other acts of terror in any other country, because it is all equally sickening and horrific in every way, but I won’t sympathize with any one more than another. My heart aches for people across the world who have to deal with this real-life hell.

Because ISIS does not care if you are European, Lebanese, Nigerian, American or anything else. And neither should we. They are a global threat that demands global cooperation.

Before we take this horrific act in Brussels where dozens of people died (and I mean that in both a literal and emotional sense), and try to politicize it, please realize that it is times like this where we need to stop finding reasons to argue and band together. Not as Europeans, as Lebanese, as Nigerians, but as human beings.

Because ISIS can try and take away our buildings, our airports and subways, but let me tell you something; they can never and will never take away our spirit, love and humanity for one another.