Representations of Islam and Muslims in Press Coverage
نویسنده
چکیده
This paper focuses on the symbiotic relationship between the media in one respect andthe motion picture industry, educational institutions and policy-makers in perpetuating misrepresentations about Islam. The scope of this paper will be on the representations associated with Islam and Muslims primarily in the United States of America and the United Kingdom.Much news coverage about Islam and Muslims in the media today is inherited from historical representations. From European writers, to the French song of Roland, Dante, Martin Luther and historical grudges have crafted misrepresentations on Islam and Muslims. Many of them are resurrected in popular press coverage today. The motion picture industry and particularly Hollywood has taken part in framing misrepresentations as well. From 1896, Muslims and Arabs have played antagonistic roles in popular cinema in over 900 movies. These images are bolstered by the news media in many cases.The education system also takes part with news agencies in propagating misinformation about Islam and Muslims. The presence of academics such as Samuel Huntington, Bernard Lewis, Daniel Pipes and many others in higher centres of learning contribute to the hatemongering about Islam and Muslims. Groups such as the American Council of Trustees and Alumni and the Washington Institute for Near Eastern Studies have vested interests in delivering stereotypes in an academic setting.The media in many instances adheres to government policy developments in the United States and the UK. Press ownership and censorship of tycoons or the Creel Commission formed under President Woodrow Wilson, coverage during and after the Iranian Revolution and policies surrounding the Palestine Question are examples of government-media relationship in promulgating misinformation. In the end, the production of misrepresentations by the press are harmonized by the motion picture industry, education system and government institutions.They provide support to one another in demonizing Islam and Muslims.
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