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The Representation of Muslims in Western media. Enter the word ‘Muslims’ in a Google Image search. Log the ratio of positive to negative images. Compare this to words such as ‘Christians’ or ‘Jews’. . Content Analysis.
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Enter the word ‘Muslims’ in a Google Image search. Log the ratio of positive to negative images. Compare this to words such as ‘Christians’ or ‘Jews’.
Content Analysis Each of you will now search the word ‘Muslims’ in the following websites: • The Daily Mail • The Guardian • The Sun • The Observer • The Daily Express • The Independent • BBC Online • A news service of your choice (exciting!)
Why the bad press? Read the handout on news values. Choose one story on Muslims you have found and explain how it fits the news values on the sheet. Is the story an example of a moral panic?
Newswipe In the following clip, Charlie Brooker discusses news values in relation to the coverage of a small protest carried out by a group of Muslim men. Why do you think the incident demanded this coverage? What news values did it fulfil? ..\..\..\..\..\04 - Bad News is Big.avi
Is there something else going on? Who benefits from these negative representations?
Edward Said Watch the following clip and read the handout on Orientalism. According to Said, how are Muslims often represented? Who does he suggest benefits from these representations? Why do these representations keep appearing in the media?
The Power of Nightmares In his three-part series, documentary essayist, Adam Curtis, explores the roots of our contemporary obsession with international terrorism. Watch the opening of episode 3. Summarise his argument: why may Western politicians benefit from demonising Islam? Does this fit with Said’s theory?
Or in the words of Peter Griffin... How does this clip from Family Guy connect to Curtis’s argument?
Nick Davies has a slightly different explanation for the failures of the modern press than Chomsky/Herman. Which view would you agree with (if any)? Explain why. NICK DAVIES • Journalists are too busy to check facts. • Journalists rely too heavily on PR and Government agencies for news. • Papers, in a bid to boost sales, focus on sensational stories, rather than accurate ones. CHOMSKY HERMAN • Corporate media inherently biased, as they are run for profit. • Journalists are not allowed to damage investors/advertisers. • News agencies want to avoid ‘flak’ from pressure groups. • Journalists rely on relationship with ‘official’ news sources (e.g. political sources)
Watch the opening of The Kingdom How are American characters represented in this scene? How are Islamic characters represented? How could we apply Said’s theory to these scenes?