It adds to a string of attacks across Europe during the past 12 months.

The challenge for the media in reporting the crime is to avoid inadvertently amplifying the terror. 

This calls for difficult decisions to be made by media, particularly television, as they have a 24-hour bulletin to fill.

The Barcelona attack comes after a week of unrest in the United States with alt-right protesters in Charlottesville. A woman was killed in Charlottesville by a vehicle that was deliberately driven into a crowd of opposing protesters. A very similar situation to Barcelona and Nice last year. 

It’s the language around these deplorable acts of crime that everyone needs to be aware. 

Media has a responsibility is to report the news without glorifying these acts.

Terrorism is a difficult conversation for parents to have with children. To try to explain what a child is viewing on television or reading in the paper. To try provide a reason for why people are senselessly killing others.

While it may seem like the other side of the world, terrorism in Australia is a real threat. Sydney recently slipped out of The Economist’s top 10 list of world’s most liveable cities due “to a heightened perceived threat of terrorism”.

Living in a world where terrorism or tragedy can strike at any moment – what can we actually control?

Some of the political leaders have given us some examples of what not to do. For example, we should always instantly call out and condemn behaviour that incites hatred. Peace does not come in the form of racism or bigotry.

Don’t wear a religious garment to try and add weight to your argument. It is not a fashion item, it’s a piece of clothing that has cultural values attached to it. Disagreeing with those views doesn’t give you permission to insult a section of people who dress differently to you.

This week Barack Obama reminded us of Nelson Mandela’s quote: “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion”.

Hate is a learnt behaviour. What we can control is how we behave.

We can be respectful. We can defend those without a voice. We can be kind.