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Muslims in the Media. Producing and maintaining discrimination News ≠ reliable information. Socio-cultural analysis: Mass Media. In the absence of direct experience of people, places, or events, the mass media generally becomes the primary source of information (Bryant & Zillman , 2002).
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Muslims in the Media • Producing and maintaining discrimination • News ≠ reliable information
Socio-cultural analysis: Mass Media • In the absence of direct experience of people, places, or events, the mass media generally becomes the primary source of information (Bryant & Zillman, 2002). • Australia’s Muslim population comprises 1.7% (ABS, 2006).
Digital still from True Lies (1994) • Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People (2003). • Referencing of actual events or issues, giving fictional films a factual or authoritative character. • Over 900 films analysed repeatedly “dehumanise Arabs and Muslims, and portray them as heartless, brutal, uncivilised, religious fanatics, who are violent, and terrorists” (Rane, 2007).
ALADDIN "I come from a land, from a faraway place where the caravan camels roam, where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face - it's barbaric, but hey, it's home.“ – Opening theme song
Australian Press Coverage of Islam 1996-2000 • Most frequently focused on the Middle East (29%); • Most frequently focused on war, crisis, or conflict (52%); • Most frequently showed Muslims to be fighting against Christians (45% - articles where the religion of the groups at war/conflict were identified); • Most frequently showed Muslims as the aggressors in war/conflict (80%);
Descriptive references attached to the word ‘Muslim’ or ‘Islamic’ were frequently derogatory (40% - ‘militant’, ‘fundamentalist’, ‘extremist’, or ‘terrorist’); • Described acts condemned by Islam, such as killing and lynching, as ‘Islamic’ (73%); • Rarely portrayed the human side of Muslims (4%). Study by HalimRane, “Australian Press Coverage of Islam” (Master’s Thesis, Bond University, 2000).
Post 9/11 • “Apart from its negative consequences on their [Muslims’] daily lives, the media’s coverage of Islam reached an unprecedented intensity.” (Yenigun, 2002, p.43) • Bias and discrimination is not limited to Hollywood films – it operates within contemporary Australian media too!
References/Further Reading AAP. (2009). Muslim girls wearing hijabs with the Australian flag on them walk in Melbourne [Image]. Retrieved August 22, 2011, from http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1032871/-aussies-love-other-cultures-and-fear-them Abdalla, M & Rane, H. (2007, August). The Impact of Media Representations on the Understanding of Islam and Attitudes toward Muslims in Queensland. Report for Multicultural Affairs Queensland. Retrieved from http://www.griffith.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/52083/MAQ.pdf Bryant J. & Zillman, D. (Eds.) (2002). Media Effects: Advances in theory and research. Elbaum Associates: New Jersey. Earp, J. and Jhally, S. (Directors), Earp, J. and Shaheen, J. (Writers). (2006). Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People. [Documentary]. Retrieved from http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/reel-bad-arabs/
Nangpal, S. (2008). Oz Muslim Women Start Fighting Back Against an Agressive Patriarchal System [Image]. Retrieved August 23, 2011, from http://www.topnews.in/oz-muslim-women-start-fighting-back-against-repressive-patriarchal-system-291096 NielsenWire. (2008). Online News Better Option [Image]. Retrieved August 23, 2011, from http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/election-gives-online-news-sites-major-traffic-boost/ Ridzdesign. (2011). Islamophobia [Image]. Retrieved 21 August, 2011, from http://endthelie.com/2011/08/03/islamophobic-conspiracy-theories-debunked-yet-again/#axzz1Vq3mcdik Yenigun, H.I. (2002, October). Muslims and the Media after 9/11: A Muslim Discourse in the American Media? Paper presented at 31st Annual Convention of Association of Muslim Social Scientists. Retrieved from http://i-epistemology.net/attachments/847_Ajiss21-3%20-%20Yenigun%20-%20Muslims%20and%20the%20Media%20after%209%20over%2011.pdf