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State Department Suggesting Diplomats Change Language In Describing Islamic Terrorists

By Howard Friedman

The AP reported last week on a memo titled Words That Work and Words That Don't: A Guide for Counterterrorism Communication that was originally prepared in March by the Extremist Messaging Branch at the National Counter Terrorism Center and was approved for diplomatic use last month by the State Department. It grows out recommendations from American Muslim leaders on how to describe terrorists who invoke Islamic theology in justifying their attacks. Those recommendations built on three premises: "(1) We should not demonize all Muslim or Islam; (2) Because the terrorists themselves use theology and religious terms to justify both their means and ends, the terms we use must be accurate and descriptive; and (3) Our words should be strategic; we must be conscious of history, culture, and context. In an era where a statement can cross continents in a manner of seconds, it is essential that officials consider how terms translate: and how they will resonate with a variety of audiences." The Investigative Project on Terrorism on Friday published an opinion piece by Steve Emerson who is critical of the memos.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 05, 2008 (boomark / email).