A eath threat is a threat (often made anonymously) against a person to kill him or her. Death threats are often intended to intimidate victims (such as dissuading them from pursuing a criminal investigation or an advocacy campaign). In other cases, people use death threats to manipulate behavior. Death threats are most commonly made against public figures, though they are also made against less public figures; they are made through a wide range of mediums, including letters, newspaper publications, telephone calls, internet blogs, and e-mail. In many states and jurisdictions, death threats are a criminal offense. If the threat is made against a governmental figure, it can also be treason. Sometimes, death threats are made as part of a wider campaign of abuse against a person or group of people (see terrorism, mass murder).