Changes in the Representation of Islam in the USA Media - Essay Example

The Muslims increasingly were being portrayed as the ‘others’ by the Western media and were largely misrepresented in the media ever since the tragedy of 9/11 (Saniotis, 2004). The newspapers and tv shows which negatively stereotyped the Muslim community resulted in the rise of Islamaphobia. The misrepresentation and negative portrayal of the Muslims and Islam in the media led the general public to believe that Muslims and Islam tend to feature prominently in world news associated with injustice, suffering, atrocities, and terrorist activities as most of such events of terror were by and large associated with an Islamic terrorist group (Gottaschalk & Greenberg, 2005: p. 4).This study focuses on evaluating the truth behind the media portrayal of Muslims and Islam in the western media and the resultant impact on shaping the socio-cultural beliefs and attitudes of the American citizens toward them. 1.1.

Thesis statementThe mass media is a highly influential medium and the manner in which it chooses to portray any given event is hence of crucial significance mainly due to its sheer outreach and ability to influence thought and perceptions of the majority toward those in the minority. After 9/11 Islam and Muslims were suddenly brought to the limelight as America declared a 'war on terror. The media frenzy that followed catapulted the average and relatively obscure Muslim community into instant infamy.

They were now the 'others' the 'enemy' and demonising the enemy is fairly common in times of war (Alsultany, 2012: p. 2). The news articles that followed immediately after 9/11 did just that. 1.2. Research Aim:The key aim of this study is to critically evaluate the manner in which Muslims and Islam have been portrayed in the media after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 in the U.S.1.3. Research Objectives:The following are the key objectives of this study:- To critically evaluate the media portrayal of Muslim and Islam in the media after 9/11- To ascertain whether the media has a tendency to portray Muslims and Islam negatively and whether any shift has been observed over the years.

- To evaluate the influence of media on the attitudes and perceptions of the audience toward Muslims and Islam