Crisis Communication under Terrorist Threat: a Case Study of Counterterrorist Operation in Chechnya

© Elena Gryzunova, 2012 Intellectual property. No part can be reproduced without a reference to the author 1

Elena GryzunovaPh.D. Student, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University), Russia.Paper presented at the 4th European Communication Conference, Istanbul, 25.10.2012

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Terrorism is violence that consists in itself a threat of more violence designed to cause social disruption, panic and victimization within the community for the purpose of political change.

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WidespreWidespread in the ad in the

cyberspaccyberspace e

InternatioInternational or nal or global global

Civil Civil targets, targets,

mass mass victimizativictimizati

on on

Religious Religious motivatiomotivation, use of n, use of distorted distorted Islamic Islamic terms terms

Characteristics of Characteristics of Modern TerrorismModern Terrorism

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Terrorism as Communication:Terrorism as Communication:the Role of Traditional Mediathe Role of Traditional Media

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“Terrorism is aimed at the people watching, not at the actual victims. Terrorism is theater”. (Brian M. Jenkins, 1974) THE MASS THE MASS

MEDIAMEDIA

Terror act is an ideal media product

widely broadcasted

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Communication Circle Communication Circle of Terrorismof Terrorism

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Antiterrorist Governmental Antiterrorist Governmental Media PolicyMedia Policy

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Forming a loyal terrorism-reporting press pool. Development of consensus communicational strategies. Education, not victimization. Alert, not panic. Joint media/government simulation trainings. Designation of a spokesperson responsible for

governmental antiterrorist communication. Creation of a special media center. Being premium newsmaker omnipresent in the news

field. Joint media/ government control of interpretations and

of verbal designations. Restrictions for: 1) live and unedited interviews with

terrorists, 2) secret details of counter-terror and hostage-release operations, 3) intimidating details.

Soft control by means of exclusive information. Partnership and two-way communication: using the

media as the source of information. 14 10

Terrorism as Communication:Terrorism as Communication:the Role of New Mediathe Role of New Media

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Terrorism and Islam: Terrorism and Islam: Misconceptions and Misconceptions and Communication TrapsCommunication Traps

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Levels of Social Disruption and its Levels of Social Disruption and its PreventionPrevention

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LEVELLEVEL TERRORISM GOVERNMENT•distrust to the authorities•political extremism•political apathy•wish to change the state system or leave the country

•forming patriotism, civil consciousness and confidence•image making •news making and response to disinformation

mass fear, inadequate perception of reality, panic, apathy, spontaneous aggression

•informing of terror manipulative mechanisms•psychological rehabilitation•general preventive measures: ethical and educational

hostility, conflicts, violence, genocide, separatism

•disclaiming terrorists’ support of any social group•general preventive measures: inter-group dialogue and consolidative ideas

total demolition of a social structure: revolutions, civil wars

complex measures on all the previous levels

Individual as a citizenIndividual as a personality

Society

Groups and group behavior

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The Crisis Paradigm The Crisis Paradigm

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Crisis is an unpredictable perceived disruption of a social unit which threatens its integrity, reputation or survival, challenges the public’s sense of safety, values or appropriateness and requires immediate action under the circumstances of uncertainty, urgency and increased attention.

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Terrorism as a Crisis:Terrorism as a Crisis:the Classification the Classification VariationsVariations

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A form of crisis of malevolence (Lerbinger; Coombs)

A conflict crisis (Quarantelli) or a mixed conflict-consensus crisis (Peek, Sutton)

Political and social crisis (Morozova et al.)

Terrorism crisis as a special type (Shrivastava). Terrorism crises “evolve end emerge as economic, social and political processes over time"; provoke both physical and social disruptions; require the design and development of special systems for terrorism crisis communications.

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Genesis and Extension of a Crisis Genesis and Extension of a Crisis A crisis can have either an objective or a

subjective reason. It can be based on a real event as well as on a rumor or a willful disinformation. The objective and subjective sides are interconnected so the crisis extends on both.

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A Case Study of Counterterrorist Operation in Chechnya

Russian Counterterrorist Communication Strategy 2000-2004:

integrated crisis communication system

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Integrated Crisis Communication System:Organizational StructureHierarchy within the governmental structure

Social net cooperation with other organizations

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Framing the counterterrorist operation

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Sense making (determination of the events’ parameters)

Meaning making (definition of the situation)

TASKS:- substantiate the necessity of the counterterrorist operation;- discredit the enemy;- gain support of the Russian government by different target audiences;- improve the image of the Russian army;- respond to any threats in the information field

Status of the Chechen Republic

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- the status of the Chechen Republic as a constituent entity of the Russian Federation, the integral part of the country;- the Russian authorities follow the basic principle of territorial integrity of a State;- Russia’s actions correspond to the Constitution, national and international laws

The Mission of the Counterterrorist Operation

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WAR ON TERRORISM COUNTERTERRORIST OPERATION The media and the citizens were against wars The term “war” provides the terrorists with

equal political status

THE MISSION:- liquidation if the illegal armed groups; - ensuring security of the Russian citizens; - re-establishment of the constitutional order on

the territory of the Chechen Republic

Sense Making: Threat Determination

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FORMULATION OF THREATS SUSTAINED BY FACTS:- the threat to the sovereignty and the integrity of the Russian Federation;- the threat to the security of Russian and foreign citizens;- the transnational threat of proliferation of terrorism, crime and drug traffic;- the threat to basic values such as democracy and human rights

Meaning Making: Identity Attribution of Terrorists

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• THE CHECHEN ARMY

• GUERRILLA WAR• ISLAMISTS• WAHHABIS• ISLAMIC

EXTREMISTS

• ARMED GANGS• TERRORIST ACTS• EXTREMISTS• TERRORISTS• MEMBERS OF THE

ILLEGAL ARMED GROUPS USING SLOGANS OF ISLAM (WAHHABISM) AS COVER

Table of contents

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Terrorism Characteristics of Modern Terrorism Terrorism as Communication: the Role of Traditional Media Communication Circle of Terrorism Antiterrorist Governmental Media Policy Terrorism as Communication: the Role of New Media Terrorism and Islam: Misconceptions and Communication Traps Levels of Social Disruption and its Prevention The Crisis Paradigm Terrorism as a Crisis: the Classification Variations Genesis and Extension of a Crisis Crisis Life Cycle A Case Study of Counterterrorist Operation in Chechnya First Chechen Campaign / Counterterrorist Operation Integrated Crisis Communication System: Organizational Structure Organizational Structure 2 The Information Policy Department of the President’s Administration Field Crisis Communication Centers Framing the Counterterrorist Operation Status of the Chechen Republic The Mission of the Counterterrorist Operation Sense Making: Threat Determination Meaning Making: Identity Attribution of Terrorists

Thank you for your Thank you for your attention!attention!

Contact information:Contact information:

Elena GryzunovaMoscow, RussiaMoscow State Institute of International Relations(MGIMO-University)

+7-916-607-2770+7-926-170-7334Mail2.elena@mail.ru

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