INFORMATION-COMMUNICATION MODEL OF TERRORISM: TERMINOLOGICAL ASPECTS
The article dwells on the problem of terminology while defining the notion "terrorism". The aim of the article is to analyze the existing definitions of terrorism in terms of their validity for the information-communication component of the given phenomenon and to work out a definition of terrorism that would take into account its interrelationship with the systems of public communications. Terms should be used carefully, as it is very important for the understanding what action can be called a terroristic act and what is the difference between terrorism and extremism. The undertaken research includes the analysis of definitions given to terrorism in different foreign sources. It highlights the differences in the approach to the classification of actions, which could be used practically by law enforcement organizations, attorneys and in courts of law. In the result, the author offers the following working definition of terrorism for the study of its information-communication system: Terrorism is a combination of strategies and tough tactics in the result of which victims (i.e. common people) are part of a more general target (e.g. government). These strategies and tactics are used by persons or groups of persons pursuing certain goals - usually of a political, social, criminal, economic or religious character. These people regard terrorism as the most effective way ofgetting power necessary for the realization of those goals.