Analysts warn fear-driven reporting gives terror groups undue visibility

Some media coverage of al-Qaeda and its affiliated groups goes beyond information sharing and strongly influences public perception and collective psychological environments.

Analysts and media activists say al-Qaeda deliberately relies on fear and intimidation, using civilian anxiety as a strategic psychological weapon.

When media outlets repeat this fear without sufficient context or analysis, they risk unintentionally becoming part of this psychological influence chain.

Muhammad Salim Afzali, a media activist based in Kabul, said that experience shows some outlets unintentionally grant al-Qaeda symbolic legitimacy.

This occurs when coverage highlights attacks while focusing excessively on shock, fear, and dramatic imagery, he told Salaam Times.

"Exaggerating threats is exactly what al-Qaeda needs for psychological impact. Using fear as a tool to influence civilians contradicts social values and media ethics," he noted.

Afzali stressed repeatedly using the group’s name, images, and threatening language without analysis distorts public understanding of its real power.

Such coverage inflates al-Qaeda’s perceived strength and grants it credibility beyond its actual operational capabilities, he argued. "Al-Qaeda invests precisely in this fear to make its presence appear larger."

"When news coverage focuses only on shock and terror, extremist groups are given importance that does not match their real power," Afzali stated.

Unintended legitimacy

Fear remains one of the strongest drivers shaping public opinion, said Mukhtar Musawi, an international relations analyst in Kabul.

Musawi believes that al-Qaeda understands this reality well and designs its actions to maximize psychological impact rather than military outcomes.

"Media coverage that focuses on fear unintentionally helps expand this group’s psychological influence," he told Salaam Times.

"People know this network uses intimidation to attract attention, but repeating frightening images and headlines can put that awareness under pressure," he warned.

Musawi said using fear to manipulate civilian behavior contradicts human values and widely accepted social norms.

Public awareness

Esmatullah Noori, a global affairs analyst based in London, believes al-Qaeda relies more on psychological impact than military strength.

This reliance applies at both regional and global levels, shaping how the group seeks attention and influence, he stated.

"Whenever fear-based narratives are reflected without context and deep analysis, this group succeeds in portraying itself as larger and more influential than reality."

Noori emphasized audiences may be left with exaggerated perceptions of al-Qaeda’s operational reach and actual influence.

"In many cases, reporting violent attacks without contextual analysis and a critical framework unintentionally reproduces fear and strengthens the narrative favored by extremist groups," he claimed.

"In such coverage, the group’s name and image are repeated excessively, which helps project influence and power."

"When media outlets exaggerate threats without comparison, accurate data, or professional analysis, this image is reinforced, increasing fear in public opinion and psychological pressure in society," said Nusratullah Sayedkhil, a political activist based in France.