Al-Qaida (AQ) and ISG use propaganda to shape public opinion, increase fear and project strength, and to affect perceptions about their strategic goals. Their media output has global reach -- through online distribution and availability in multiple languages. The higher the media profile, the greater the pressure is on decisionmakers to respond. On the surface, there is little that separates AQ and ISG propaganda: the former were pioneers in this field and the latter have emulated AQ's model and improved it. However, there are crucial differences that reflect the core issues that separate AQ and ISG: ideology, organisational composition and outlook.
The quality and reach of both AQ and ISG propaganda means countermessaging campaigns will struggle to compete.
However, the sheer volume of propaganda -- generated by supporters as well the groups themselves -- may confuse the overall message.
Graphic depiction of torture and execution increases ISG infamy, but may rally opponents.
