Noting that television network coverage of hostage crises tends to emphasize the same topics while depicting them in similar ways, and that networks may be unwittingly granting legitimacy to terrorist grievances, a study investigated the nature of "NBC Nightly News" coverage of the Trans World Airline (TWA) hostage crisis. Specific questions addressed by the study dealt with the percentage of news time devoted to the crisis, the topics emphasized, types of stories and formats used, and types of sources interviewed. A content analysis of videotapes of "NBC Nightly News" broadcasts indicated that extensive coverage was devoted to the 17-day ordeal. Approximately 67% of news times and 61% of news stories were devoted to the crisis. Most stories were reporter stories, rather than anchor stories, and approximately 63% of all stories contained interviews, most frequently with average citizens and public officials. Stories relating to the status, location, and health of the hostages represented the dominant topic of coverage, while topics relating to the hostages' families and official United States reaction to the crisis also characterized coverage. The findings suggest that NBC coverage was dramatic and reactive, as well as extensive, although limited attention was devoted to historical, cultural, and other factors which may have given rise to the TWA hijacking. (HTH)