The Evolution of Terrorist Propaganda: The Paris Attack and Social Media

Terrorists' use of social media has exploded over the past several years. Terrorist groups from ISIS to the Taliban use social media platforms to recruit, radicalize, spread propaganda and even raise money. Terrorists know the benefit of social media. Social media is easy to use, it is free, and it reaches everyone in the world. Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act states that it is unlawful to provide a designated foreign terrorist organization with material support or resources, including any property-tangible or intangible-or services, among them, communication, equipment, and facilities. If foreign terrorist organizations are using American companies to spread propaganda and raise money, the question that remains is: Is this a violation of American law? American newspapers would have never allowed our enemies in World War II to place ads in, say, the New York Times for recruitment of people to go and fight against America. So why do social media companies allow terrorist content on their platforms?