When we hear and use the word terrorism, perhaps we have a separate picture in our minds about what it is terrorism. When people use the word, they also have their own picture and meaning it. And this creates a problem. Until now, no one was able to find the exact definition of the term terrorism. As a result, terrorism has different meanings to different people. Moreover, the nature of terrorism also changed with the passage of history. Violent activities which are currently referred to as terrorism, at a certain point called the war, the liberation movement, or a common crime in other historical periods. Here, the media play a role in influencing and shaping our definition of the term terrorism.

popular phrase ' a person is a terrorist to freedom fighter for others ' reflects the many problems encountered in an attempt to define terrorism. It has been about 200 years the word " terrorism " is in the public space, has been used by political leaders, and has been used in the academic world. Even now the term has come to the level of ' terrorism industry '. The lack of clarity in the definition of terrorism can be seen clearly from the research conducted by Alex Schmid citing more than 250 definitions of terrorism. This shows the difficulty of finding a universal definition. Even the head of the National Agency for Combating Terrorism ( BNPT ), Ansyaad Mbai, himself said that " the definition of terrorism globally agreed it does not exist, and I think there never will be. "

This situation is very vulnerable to any of the parties to then interpret them arbitrarily and in accordance with the interests they expect, as said Mbai commenting on a seminar in Karachi are trying to formulate the boundaries of terrorism, " Last week in Pakistan that no one seminar, I was sent by our Consul General in Karachi there. Pak is the verdict of deliberation. formulate agenda boundaries terrorism. Alhamdulillah no limits ". [ 2 ] a similar statement he gave when commenting on a seminar of Islamic countries held Iran to initiate the definition of terrorism, " The agenda was to define what is terrorism? Also thank God, sir, do not meet the definition of it. "

Terrorism as a pejorative word, accompanied with no clear definition, potentially resulting in arbitrary acts committed by authorities in the name of counterterrorism. After the events of September 11, the word " terrorism " has been widely exploited by politicians. The word has now become the main terms in the narrative of Western culture as the term " freedom " and " democracy ". However, it is still difficult or virtually almost impossible to be able to define the term " terrorism " is right. Throughout history, the term " terrorism " has been changed for the umpteenth time and all efforts to obtain definitive definition it only leads to failure. And now, pascaperistiwa 11, the meaning of the term " terrorism " became more abstract and difficult to understand. syaminaorg