Global Islamic Media Front
GIMF materials utilize one of the most important techniques of propaganda: repetition. (see Propaganda “techniques”) Researchers at the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point produced a study that examined 100 recurring visual themes in extremist Islamic propaganda. When one examines GIMF-produced images, one sees the same motifs time and again. The use of visual motifs helps develop shared understandings and a relatable story line among jihadists. In addition to visual themes, researchers have found three main communication themes in GIMF videos: legitimating ("Things are getting worst for you/the enemy and better for us"), propagating ("We continue to plan attacks against you"), and intimidating ("We easily penetrate your security walls"). The IntelCenter classifies seven different categories of jihadist videos: produced videos (the most advanced video releases done by jihadist groups that includes footage from several categories combined to target a large audience), operational videos (videos of attacks executed by a group), hostage videos (videos made in order to make demands and show hostages. Daniel Pearl was featured in a hostage video), statement videos (strategic videos of statements made by jihadist leaders in order to send a message to a large audience. Osama bin Laden's statement videos with English subtitles are an example.), tribute videos (videos made to commemorate the death of a martyr or a mujahid killed by an enemy), internal training videos (the only products that are not intended for public consumption. They are rarely edited and are utilized for internal purposes only), and instructional videos (used to instruct jihadi members in a specific skill. The most common is the instructional video for making a suicide bomber vest). A large portion of GIMF productions has been devoted to militant training videos. Al Qaeda and other jihadist groups realize the importance of the internet to train its followers. GIMF has produced instructional videos illustrating how to make and use explosive devices. The benefit of these videos to members of Al Qaeda is that they can be viewed anywhere there is internet access, allowing for the mobility of and increasing in training sites. The "Voice of the Caliphate" is the major publication that GIMF produces. It is the jihadi internet video newscast that debuted in 2005. It was a new approach taken by Al Qaeda to reach an audience. Instead of relying on television networks and other news media to publish its videos, "Voice of the Caliphate" enabled jihadists to spread messages and propaganda without censorship. "The name of the broadcast refers to the Islamic empire that emerged following the death of the prophet Muhammad in the 7th century, eventually stretching from Turkey to Spain and creating an era of Islamic influence that bin Laden has said Muslims should reestablish. "
Themes
The Global Islamic Media Front (GIMF) is an Islamist propaganda organization that is associated with the terrorist group, al-Qaeda, and other jihadist groups. The GIMF specializes in production of jihadist material for distribution. Access to its materials required a password. In 2004, GIM had 7,400 members which Al Qaeda was communicating with. Groups was a medium for Islamist extremist communications as a group profile can easily be deleted. GIM was used to release statements and was recognized by Al Qaeda and its followers as the only veritable source of Al Qaeda communications at the time. Al Qaeda leadership informed its followers that all information released on the internet must be routed through its Yahoo! Group to be valid. Group, GIMF material can be found in jihadist threads across the internet.