An Analysis of Media’s Role: Case Study of Army Public School (APS) Peshawar Attack

The study aimed at analyzing the role of media during and after terrorist attacks by examining the media handling of APS Peshawar attack. The sample consisted of males and females selected on convenience basis from universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. It was hypothesized that (1) Extensive media coverage of terrorist attacks leads to greater publicity/recognition of terrorist groups (2) Media coverage of APS Peshawar attack increased fear and anxiety in public (3) Positive media handling/coverage of APS Peshawar attack led to public solidarity and peace. The results indicate that i) Media coverage of terrorist attacks does help terrorist groups to gain publicity and recognition amongst public ii) Media coverage of Aps Peshawar attack did not increase fear/anxiety in fact it directed the Pakistani nation towards public solidarity and peace.