Peter Bergen : Somalia was first major country in which terrorists provided Twitter commentary . Terrorism has always been about violence , but use of social media took it further , he says . The 9/11 attacks , which took place in the city that is many ways the capital of global media , thrust bin Laden and his terrorist group al Qaeda onto the world stage in a spectacular manner . Bergen says Al - Shabaab 's attacks were a way for the group to shape media coverage .
Peter Bergen : Somalia was first major country in which terrorists provided Twitter commentary . Terrorism has always been about violence , but use of social media took it further , he says . Bergen says Al - Shabaab 's attacks were a way for the group to shape media coverage .