Pejorative Use

The term “terrorism” and “terrorist” (someone who engages in terrorism) carry a strong negative connotation. These terms are often used as political labels to condemn violence or threat of violence by certain actors as immoral, indiscriminate, or unjustified. Those labeled “terrorists” rarely identify themselves as such, and typically use other euphemistic terms, such as: separatist, freedom fighter, liberator, revolutionary, vigilante, militant, paramilitary, guerrilla, rebel, jihadi, or Fedayeen, or any similar – meaning word in other languages.

The difference between the word “terrorist” and the terms above can be summed up by aphorism, “One man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter.”This is exemplified when a group that uses irregular military methods is an ally of a State against a mutual enemy, but later falls out with the State and starts to use the same methods against its former ally. Groups accused of terrorism usually prefer terms that reflect legitimate military or ideological action.

Many times the term “terrorism” and “extremism” are interchangeably used. However, there is a difference between the two. Terrorism essentially - threat or act of physical violence. Extremism involves using non-physical instruments to mobilize minds to achieve political or ideological ends. A global research report An Inclusive World (2007) asserts that extremism poses a more serious threat than terrorism in the decades to come.

For these and other reasons, media outlets wishing to preserve a reputation for impartiality are extremely careful in their use of the term.

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