![]() ![]() The main al-Qa`ida forums have adopted this trend and are active on Twitter, promoting their official Twitter accounts on the main jihadist web forum pages. The most prominent visual element is the use and role of the specific black banner crafted by the Islamic State of Iraq, which today is the most credible identity marker for pro-al-Qa`ida jihadist groups. Elements shown in jihadist videos are thus most appealing to initiated consumers who can read and identify the greater ideology at work. This trend reflects to a great extent a specific zeitgeist, a contemporary as well as generational shift from texts and scripts to a “visual literacy.” Ideology is presented by iconographic, habitual, and rhetorical means. These jihadists decided to engage in physical violence after being active within the virtual dominions of al-Qa`ida where exposure to the media had an impact on their personal lives and understanding of religious conduct. Recent martyr biographies reveal that the growth in social media use has led to a new generation of jihadists. Twitter: The New Beacon for Jihadist Activity Online Through the mining of this data, this article identifies a content sharing network of more than 20,000 active Twitter accounts and a collection of YouTube video files that have been viewed nearly 450,000 times. ![]() ![]() Data for this article is derived from analysis based on more than 76,000 tweets, containing more than 34,000 links to web-based content. Using an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of jihadist propaganda, this article demonstrates how jihadist groups are using Twitter to disseminate links to video content shot on the battlefield in Syria and posted for mass consumption on YouTube. This article discusses the emergence of jihadist social media strategies, explains how the Syrian jihadist group Jabhat al-Nusra (JN) has used Twitter to disseminate content, and analyzes content shared by JN. Indeed, within the complex network of interconnecting sites, Twitter has become the main hub for the active dissemination of links guiding users to digital content hosted on a range of websites, social media platforms, and discussion forums. The importance given to Twitter by jihadist groups, however, was highlighted in the 11th issue of Inspire magazine, which was released by al-Qa`ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in May 2013. The classical jihadist discussion forums remain the vital hub for authoritative and cohesive propaganda online. The role of the “media mujahidin” has been approved, sanctioned and encouraged with the release of suggested strategies, although not all jihadists have perceived the move away from the traditional discussion forum websites as positive. As the range of online platforms has expanded, jihadist groups have increasingly used sites such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Tumblr. Online media platforms facilitate a blend of audiovisual media interspersed with writings that further sanction and explain specific ideological dimensions of jihadist activity. Other big-name video game franchises celebrating anniversaries this year include Pokemon and Resident Evil, both of which have now been around for 20 years.Almost all forms of online media allow, enable and empower users to generate their own content and interact by posting comments, questions or responses. Crush 40 is scheduled to perform at the 25th anniversary party. Interestingly, Crush 40 lead singer Johnny Gioeli wrote on Facebook last year that Sega may be working on a Sonic "anniversary" game. Speaking at a SXSW panel in March, a Sega representative wouldn't say if a new game would be announced at the event, but said fans should "totally come to this party," as Sega will make a "very special announcement." As announced previously, attendees will get an "exclusive first look at the future of Sonic." However, whether this means a new game reveal or something else remains to be seen. If Sega is planning to officially announce a new Sonic game, the reveal could happen at the company's 25th anniversary party in San Diego at Comic-Con this summer. The hint you're looking for is elsewhere. Great eye, but those squares in the Sonic post are just for design. ![]()
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