Syed M. Reza

 

 

This paper focuses on the symbiotic relationship between the media in one respect andthe motion

picture industry, educational institutions and policy-makers in perpetuating misrepresentations about Islam.

 

The scope of this paper will be on the representations associated with Islam and Muslims primarily in the

United States of America and the United Kingdom.

 

Much news coverage about Islam and Muslims in the mediatoday is inherited from historical representations. From European writers, to the French song of Roland, Dante,Martin Luther and historical grudges have crafted misrepresentations on Islam and Muslims. Many of them areresurrected in popular press coverage today. The motion picture industry and particularly Hollywood has takenpart in framing misrepresentations as well. From 1896, Muslims and Arabs have played antagonistic roles inpopular cinema in over 900 movies. These images are bolstered by the news media in many cases.The educationsystem also takes part with news agencies in propagating misinformation about Islam and Muslims.

 

Thepresence of academics such as Samuel Huntington, Bernard Lewis, Daniel Pipes and many others in higher

centres of learning contribute to the hatemongering about Islam and Muslims. Groups such as the American

Council of Trustees and Alumni and the Washington Institute for Near Eastern Studies have vested interests

in delivering stereotypes in an academic setting.The media in many instances adheres to government policy

developments in the United States and the UK. Press ownership and censorship of tycoons or the Creel

Commission formed under President Woodrow Wilson, coverage during and after the Iranian Revolution and

policies surrounding the Palestine Question are examples of government-media relationship in promulgating

misinformation.

 

In the end, the production of misrepresentations by the press are harmonized by the motion

picture industry, education system and government institutions.They provide support to one another in

demonizing Islam and Muslims.

 

Read more: http://idosi.org/wjihc/wjihc1%284%2911/3.pdf