Muslim and Media - Essay Example

Muslim and Media Muslim and Media Introduction The representation of Arabs and Islam related events since the beginning of the 21st century has taken a drastic change in both quantity and quality. Most of these changes have occurred particularly on the television media outlet. After the September 11th attack, the television media forced Muslims and Islamic religion into the world’s media forefront. Coverage of Islam increased dramatically especially in the television media news. In addition, the manner in which Islam was understood by the television media changed as well (Brasted, 2001).

Islamic Issue and the Media After the September 11th attacks, the American government led a war on terrorism. This war resulted into a growth in Islamophobia. This growth was in turn mirrored in the manner television media outlets addressed and stereotyped Muslim population. Some television media outlet intentionally framed the positive coverage of Islam and Arabs. This was done with the aim of countering Islamophobia but it resulted to further creation of harmful Islamic media stereotypes. Television media broadcasters betray the Muslim population by not representing them fully.

This was in accordance to Dorothy Byrne, the head of Channel 4 news and current affairs. The television media has a problem of making overall popularization about Islam that is not helping at all. There is a strong habit of television media broadcasters tending to interview young Muslim men outside the mosques .This is aimed at getting their views. What this interviewer’s gets regarding the view of Muslims and want they what to be heard by the world is not the complete picture. This is because survey has shown 48% of the American Muslims in real sense do not attend mosques (Brasted, 2001).

Television broadcasters will also tend to interview one or two Muslim organisations for comments. One of these organisations is the Islamic council. Survey has shown that less Muslims(11%) population thinks Muslim Council represent them.19% of Muslims believe there member of parliament represent them. This calls for the media to be alert and thoughtful (Brasted, 2001). Research has shown that the public and some Muslims have less information regarding there diversity in America. Some television media like Channel 4 has decided to cover very specific matters when creating Muslim related programmes.

This is aimed at avoiding Islamic generalisation. In addition, channel 4 has also embarked on a mission of telling the truth with no fear. The channel 4 news has realized it does not need to be politically correct. These days many media campaigns are opposing Islam and Muslims. The television media in the west has numerous resources and several channels. These channels are used to portray a rough image of Islam and Arabs to the public. Many Islamic groups are also trying to counter this portrayal by conveying their messages using other media outlets but all in vain.

There the western media because of its global dominance thwart efforts. Television news is the most popular source used by the public to get information about global events. An estimated 80% of American population relies on television as the main news source (Brasted, 2001). Western media with their immense financial resources try to portray a bad picture of Islam to viewers. The presentation of Muslims and Arabs in the media is related to denial of differences. Television media produces public scare around the terrorist threat.

Many scholars believe the War on Terrorism is a war fought with images and most efficient images are those of terrorists’ victims. On a closer look, we discover discrimination is related with Islamophobia. Phenomena like this tries to show Muslims are a threat to security. Attention on terrorism merges television media coverage of Muslim news with the dominating pictures being Islamic terrorism. Thinking in such lines contributes to creation of anti-Islamic films like “Fitna” by Geert Wilders, Dutch Member of Parliament (Brasted, 2001).

One thing that remains clear is after September 11th attacks most adepts talked about security matters forgetting the social and political causation of the attacks. The western media needs to review its understanding of own self and the other. Presentation of Muslims and Arabs in the western media needs to change .Interculturalism needs to be replace Islamophobia. Conclusion To better the image of Arabs and Muslims in the west, there is a need for persistent effort from the Muslims in both Islamic regions and Muslim communities in the West.

Such endeavour should consist of a thorough procedure of reforms. Muslims can easily improve their image on a global scale if they appear as a cultured and civilised nation. Efficient strategies should be used to create awareness to the non-Muslim on Islamic concept of peace and tolerance and correction of beliefs held by some. Reference Brasted, H.V. (2001). Contested Representations in Historical Perspective: Images of Islam and the Australian Press 1950-2000,’ Muslim Communities in Australia.

Australia: UNSW Press.