Title
A Vicious Cycle? Threat of Terror, Perceived Media Bias, and Support for Surveillance Policies
Author
Abstract
Islamist terrorist attacks and existing terror threat can seriously affect intergroup relations and policy making. Drawing on hostile media effect theory and intergroup threat theory, we hypothesized that perceived threat of terror influences perceived news media bias in favor of Muslims as well as support for surveillance policies that are perceived to be restrictive for Muslims. In addition, we assumed that media bias positively predicts surveillance policy support. Results of a quota-based two-wave panel survey (NT2 = 524) revealed that perceived threat of terror increased perceived media bias in favor of Muslims over time, but did not have a direct effect over time on support for surveillance policies. However, perceived media bias was found to be a positive predictor of support for surveillance policies over time. In addition, support for policies was a positive predictor of perceived terror threat over time, suggesting a vicious cycle.
Keywords
Communication
Object type
Language
English [eng]
Persistent identifier
phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:1630858
Appeared in
Title
Mass Communication and Society
ISSN
1520-5436
Issued
2022
From page
1
To page
23
Publication
Informa UK Limited
Version type
Date issued
2022
Access rights
Rights statement
© 2022 The Author(s)
University of Vienna | Universitätsring 1 | 1010 Vienna | T
+43-1-4277-0