Comparing the Politics of Fear: The Role of Terrorism News in Election Campaigns in Russia,the United States and Britain

Abstract

How has the threat of terrorism been portrayed in recent election campaigns? Looking at detailed evidence from nightly news programmes in the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States shows various similarities, but also important divergences in the political salience of ‘terrorism’ in the context of the contemporary ‘war on terror’ in which the governments of all three countries are involved. The evidence suggests that messages about terrorism play an emotive and important role in American and Russian elections. The British media and audience, however, appear to remain more rational and less emotional in discussions about terrorism during a national election. The ‘fear factor’ seems to be a tempting card to play, offering political leaders means of entrenching their positions.