7 Mass Media
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Jack Levin
Abstract
This chapter includes several cases of secretive celebrity stalkers but otherwise mostly takes an unconventional approach to the idea of violence via media. In particular, the rise of digital technologies has allowed for new methods of covert attack—including doxxing, deepfakes, and other forms of terrifying harassment—as the so-called “dark web” provides a shroud of anonymity for powerless individuals who have developed new and collective ways to threaten, harass, and assault the objects of their obsession. Even without an anonymous online community, some covert attackers experience enough personal satisfaction for the act alone to be worthwhile. Examples date back decades, including multiple radio and television hijackings in the 1980s and 1990s for oftentimes bizarre/nonsensical reasons (for example, the “Max Headroom incidents” of 1987), and continue to evolve alongside advances in media technology.
Abstract
This chapter includes several cases of secretive celebrity stalkers but otherwise mostly takes an unconventional approach to the idea of violence via media. In particular, the rise of digital technologies has allowed for new methods of covert attack—including doxxing, deepfakes, and other forms of terrifying harassment—as the so-called “dark web” provides a shroud of anonymity for powerless individuals who have developed new and collective ways to threaten, harass, and assault the objects of their obsession. Even without an anonymous online community, some covert attackers experience enough personal satisfaction for the act alone to be worthwhile. Examples date back decades, including multiple radio and television hijackings in the 1980s and 1990s for oftentimes bizarre/nonsensical reasons (for example, the “Max Headroom incidents” of 1987), and continue to evolve alongside advances in media technology.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of Figures and Tables iv
- About the Authors v
- Acknowledgments vii
- An Introduction to Covert Violence, Power, and Social Institutions 1
- Family and Close Relationships 22
- Formal Education 47
- The Workplace 62
- Politics and Government 74
- Healthcare 90
- Mass Media 104
- Shining Light on the Shadows 116
- Case Summaries 131
- Index 148
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- List of Figures and Tables iv
- About the Authors v
- Acknowledgments vii
- An Introduction to Covert Violence, Power, and Social Institutions 1
- Family and Close Relationships 22
- Formal Education 47
- The Workplace 62
- Politics and Government 74
- Healthcare 90
- Mass Media 104
- Shining Light on the Shadows 116
- Case Summaries 131
- Index 148
