Media Influence On Terrorism In America
Scapegoating a term used to define a person or group that is unfairly blame for the actions of others. America has a long history of scapegoating a minority group. Muslims are now America’s latest minority group that are being unfairly blamed for the action of the terrorist. After the 9/11 terrorist attack committed by radical Muslim terrorists, Muslims have been at the front line of scapegoating. The actions of these extremists had a big influence on how American society views all Muslims as if they were terrorist. People are allowed to practice whatever religion they choose without fear of persecution, discrimination, and above all violence. Americans were fearful of all Muslims after the attack because they could not separate the Islamist
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Kimberly Powell’s article examines how the media had a big influence on how Islam was portrayed in the US. According to Powell, “…67% said the media grew more biased against Muslims after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.” (92). After that prominent terrorist attack that changed America, media coverage of terrorism is closely linked to Islam or Muslims. Powell did a study on how media covers terrorism in America. The result of that study shows how “Terrorist agents were quickly labeled or suspected as a Muslim, thus emphasizing the stereotype that terrorists are Muslim” (92). The media acts as if all Muslims were at fault for the attack instead of the extremist that actually committed those crimes. In the article, “The Framing of Islam on Network News Following the September 11th Attacks”, explores the media portrayal of Islam and Muslims on network news coverage. The author, Dina Ibrahim, talks about how the media were consistently choosing to portray negative images that depict how Islam and terrorism are closely related instead of giving context about Islam and its representation. Ibrahim shows the differences on how America covered Islam before and after 9/11 on their news networks. According to Ibrahim, “American reporters were more likely to highlight the radical and sensationalist elements of Islamic activism, thus obscuring the context needed to paint a complete picture” (113). Some American’s animosity towards Islam and Muslims manifested because of the negative portrayal of the religion that the media shows. The media is a platform where the public gets to learn and understand the issues, so to negatively depict Muslims and only show radical part of the religion will give Americans the idea that Islam is a violent religion which might provoke people that it’s ok to be violent with
Kimberly Powell’s article examines how the media had a big influence on how Islam was portrayed in the US. According to Powell, “…67% said the media grew more biased against Muslims after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.” (92). After that prominent terrorist attack that changed America, media coverage of terrorism is closely linked to Islam or Muslims. Powell did a study on how media covers terrorism in America. The result of that study shows how “Terrorist agents were quickly labeled or suspected as a Muslim, thus emphasizing the stereotype that terrorists are Muslim” (92). The media acts as if all Muslims were at fault for the attack instead of the extremist that actually committed those crimes. In the article, “The Framing of Islam on Network News Following the September 11th Attacks”, explores the media portrayal of Islam and Muslims on network news coverage. The author, Dina Ibrahim, talks about how the media were consistently choosing to portray negative images that depict how Islam and terrorism are closely related instead of giving context about Islam and its representation. Ibrahim shows the differences on how America covered Islam before and after 9/11 on their news networks. According to Ibrahim, “American reporters were more likely to highlight the radical and sensationalist elements of Islamic activism, thus obscuring the context needed to paint a complete picture” (113). Some American’s animosity towards Islam and Muslims manifested because of the negative portrayal of the religion that the media shows. The media is a platform where the public gets to learn and understand the issues, so to negatively depict Muslims and only show radical part of the religion will give Americans the idea that Islam is a violent religion which might provoke people that it’s ok to be violent with