Global Media , Islamophobia and Its Impact on Conflict Resolution

From the latter part of the last century to the present context, the world has witnessed the powerful tool of the global media; it has been one of the major sources that questioned and defined cultures, social and political movements and has enabled the world to break through the barriers of differences. Nonetheless, although mass media has particularly played a significant role in the shaping of wars, conflicts and its resolutions, it has also often failed to reflect objectivity. Dominant global media networks have been criticized to have biases towards the political agendas of the “western world” or more specifically, those of first world nations. Examples of Hitler’s Germany can be drawn from history to analyze how the media was utilized as the main tool of their propaganda. Parallel analogies can be made between the blatant manipulation of the media then and that of the media of the present time. Similar references can be made from the media’s role in post cold war and the rise of a new global threat, that of the Islamic terrorists. Since the aftermath of these attacks and the rise of religious militancy, Islam has been the focus of much scrutiny. This has been further perpetuated by the media’s depiction of Islam as a representation of violence. Although many Muslims have attempted to distinguish themselves from these extremist groups that in reality do not represent the 1.4 billion Muslims dispersed around the world, the majority of Muslims are facing the repercussions and blame of these isolated terrorist acts. Moreover, the continued demonization of Islamic clerics and leaders opposing basic rights are the primary images that are repeatedly portrayed through the media. These are some misconceptions which Mulsims are not only subjectetd to at present, but also serves as negative propoganda upon which history will be recorded. Therefore, this paper shall attempt to primarily discuss the impact that the global media has had in portraying Islam as a religion of violence. Secondly, it will elaborate on how this has accentuated the rise of Islamophobia, whilst also allowing these terrorist groups to disseminate their message by using religion as a justification. Furthermore, it will discuss the correlation of the global media’s depiction of this new threat in forming the outcomes of wars and conflict resolution. The paper will conclude by proposing a set of policies that will adhere to how the global media can rectify these negative conceptions and channel it to find solutions of peace. In order to prevent these terrorist grups from further succeeding, and to abstain from consequent wars, the paper will use the teachings of the Holy Quran and the examples set by Mohammad (Peace be upon him) to counter these misconceptions about Islam.