The very reporting of a political kidnapping, an assassination, or a bombing is a first victory for the terrorist. Without the world's attention, these vicious acts are pointless. Moreover, unless the terrorist can attach his political message to the headlines he has caused, he has failed. When newspapers run long analyses of the Islamic Jihad and its hatred of Israel and the West, as well as its reliance on fundamentalist interpretations of Islam, the Islamic Jihad becomes a legitimate force with which politicians and civilians must deal. Media censorship by government officials would be a mistake, and so- called guidelines are often too vague or unsuited to particular events; however, when lives are at stake, journalistic self- restraint may be necessary. Each journalist must be left to wrestle with his/her own conscience in determining how and what to report regarding a terrorist incident, particularly a hostage- taking. Should the well-being of the hostages override all other considerations in deciding what to report, or are there other issues more important. These questions must be answered individually by each journalist as each case occurs.