SHIITE SPIN CONTROL.

SHIITES; TWA Flight 847 Hijacking Incident, 1985; UNITED States politics & government, 1981-1989; HIJACKING of aircraft; TERRORISM; CRIMES aboard aircraft; HOSTAGES; MASS media

BEIRUT (Lebanon); LEBANONReport Available; UNITED StatesReport Available

Focuses on the significance of spin control in the U.S. politics. Information that Shiite terrorists in Beirut, Lebanon, who hijacked TWA flight 847 have achieved spin control beyond the wildest dreams of any politician; Exploitation of mass media by the terrorists for breaking events of international impact; Competition among various media agencies for the coverage of hijacking; Condition of hostages captured by the terrorists, as shown by the television network NBC; Statement that television networks showed real sensitivity to the strain the hostages might be under; Statement that television networks should stop congratulating themselves for their moments of restraint; Suggestion that press should not create a false choice between praising its coverage and promoting censorship.