These newspaper clippings is a start to the media presenting muslims as terrorists. Since 9/11 Islamophobia has risen and the media has a strong role in showing islamophobic ideas.
These newspaper front covers are extremely clear with their negative views. The most resent article is The Suns from Monday 23rd Novemeber 2015 stating that 1 in 5 British muslims show sympathy for Jihadis, this media example is trying to get the reader to support its views and believe the same statements. A large portion of Britain reads the sun newspaper, this means that this view will be supported and read by a lot of people who may not have enough information to have any other opinion which will lead to islamophobia increasing due to fear.
David Gauntlett's theory-
- Identity is now consciously constructed, and the media provides some of the tools to help us construct our identities. The media contains a huge number of messages about identity and acceptable lifestyles.
- At the same time the public have their own diverse set of feelings. The media and media consumers are engaged in a dialogue in which neither overpowers the other.
This theory is linked with islamophobia because in Gauntletts theory it says that "the media provides some of the tools to help us construct our identity". I think that our thoughts and opinions are part of our identity and these newspapers are influencing what we see and think about Islam and muslims. However it also says "the public have their own diverse set of feelings"which is true as we have the power to think what we want about the subject, a lack of education on this subject is why a large sum of the public agree with these certain newspapers, this statistic shows this "4% of the British public admit to knowing nothing or next to nothing about Islam" and "64% of the public claim what they know is acquired through the media".
Other statistic about Islam-
-91% of Islam coverage is deemed negative.
-84% of press coverage presented Islam and muslims either as 'likely to cause damage or danger' or as 'operating in a time of intense difficulty or danger'.
Post 9/11 representation on islam and muslims by the media show a lot of negative aspects.
a good understanding and start to using media theory in the representation of islam
ReplyDeleteThere are other theorists that you could use such as Cohen, Folk devils, Acland/Gramsci hegemony, and Said (Orientalism) we have not covered Orientalism but it is relevant given that thehatred and misunderstanding of Islam has worsened substantially following 9/11 attacks. Worldwide war on terror, led by US. Postcolonialism explains demonization of Islam with concepts of orientalism, imperialism and (neo)colonialism. West needed justification for subordination of East, thus depictions of Orient as inferior, undeveloped and uncivilized. Demonization of Islam serves the imperialistic ambitions of political elites in West, which act on behalf of capitalist greed and multinational businesses.