Citation

Scanlon J. J. Conting. Crisis Manage. 2001; 9(2): 88-97.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/1468-5973.00157

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Over the years, law enforcement agencies have acquired extensive experience with hostage incidents, and most Western countries have officers trained in all aspects of hostage resolution. There are also articles and manuals outlining how to deal with the media coverage of hostage takings (Scanlon, 1989). However, because hostage rescue efforts can provide dramatic visuals that attract enormous audiences, the media have steadily intensified their coverage of such incidents. Today, a group of previously obscure persons can suddenly dominate the media agenda by successfully resisting an armed assault or by seizing hostages and calling themselves terrorists.