Episode #007 – Lizzie Dearden - Exploring the Role of the Media in Countering Terrorism

Lizzie Dearden is the author of Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed, which covers foiled attacks in the UK since 2017 and shifts in current threats. She has been covering terrorism as a journalist since Islamic State (IS) declared its caliphate in Syria and Iraq in 2014. She initially reported on IS-inspired attacks around the world and the group’s propaganda and strategy, before her work widened to cover other kinds of terrorism. Lizzie has focused on terror attacks and prosecutions, security threats and extremism of all kinds in the UK in-depth since 2017 and was previously The Independent’s home affairs editor.

In this episode we talk about Lizzie’s experience as a journalist reporting on terrorism, the role of the media in countering terrorism in the UK, the risks surrounding being a journalist in this field, Lizzie's book Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed, some of the difficulties surrounding mixed or salad bar ideologies, and what terrorism in the UK looks like going forward.

You can purchase Lizzie’s book Plotters: The UK Terrorists Who Failed, from the publishers here: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/plotters/ or from any other bookstore.

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Note: This episode was recorded on 22nd November 2023 prior to the festive period.

Disclaimer: The views or statements expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by Pool Re employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of Pool Re.