In post 9/11 culture, Eastern religions have no chance of a fair trial in the media. Discuss.
The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, had a profound impact on the perception of Islam and Muslims in the United States and around the world. The media coverage of the events and their aftermath often portrayed Muslims as a monolithic and violent group, associated with extremism and terrorism. This created a climate of fear, suspicion and hostility toward Muslims and other Eastern religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism, that share some commonalities with Islam.
According to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in March 2021, 82% of Americans say Muslims face a lot of discrimination in the U.S., more than any other religious group. Moreover, 32% of Americans say they have an unfavorable view of Islam, while only 42% say they know someone who is Muslim. These findings suggest that many Americans lack accurate and nuanced information about Islam and Muslims, and rely on media stereotypes and generalizations.
The media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing policy decisions. However, the media coverage of Eastern religions after 9/11 has often been biased, sensationalized and inaccurate. For example, a study by the University of Leeds found that politicians and security sources dominated the news of the terror threat after 9/11, while Muslim voices were marginalized or silenced. The study also found that the media used terms such as “Islamic terrorism”, “Islamist extremism” and “jihad” without proper context or explanation, implying that these concepts are inherent to Islam.
Another example is the Harvard Gazette article that interviewed Muslim Americans about their experiences of discrimination and prejudice after 9/11. The article highlighted the diversity and resilience of Muslim Americans, but also used some problematic language and framing. For instance, the article referred to Muslim Americans as “a growing presence” in the U.S., implying that they are newcomers or outsiders, rather than an integral part of American society. The article also used phrases such as “the othering of Muslims” and “questions about their national loyalty”, which reinforce the idea that Muslims are different and potentially disloyal to the U.S.
These examples show how the media can perpetuate negative views of Eastern religions by focusing on their differences, rather than their similarities, with other faiths and cultures. Eastern religions have a rich and diverse history, philosophy and practice, that can contribute to the social and moral fabric of the U.S. and the world. However, they often face unfair treatment in the media, which affects their representation, recognition and respect in society.
To address this issue, the media should adopt more ethical and responsible journalism practices, such as:
– Seeking out diverse and credible sources from different Eastern religious communities, and giving them space to express their views and perspectives.
– Providing accurate and balanced information about Eastern religions, avoiding sensationalism, generalization and distortion.
– Using respectful and inclusive language that does not stigmatize or stereotype Eastern religions or their followers.
– Challenging misinformation, prejudice and hate speech against Eastern religions, and promoting interfaith dialogue and understanding.
By doing so, the media can help create a more informed and tolerant public opinion, and a more fair and inclusive society for all.
Works Cited
Mohamed, Besheer. “Muslims are a growing presence in U.S., but still face negative views from the public.” Pew Research Center, 1 Sep. 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/09/01/muslims-are-a-growing-presence-in-u-s-but-still-face-negative-views-from-the-public/. Accessed 12 Sep. 2023. research essay writing service.
Mineo, Liz. “Muslim Americans reflect on the impact of 9/11.” Harvard Gazette, 9 Sep. 2021, https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/09/muslim-americans-reflect-on-the-impact-of-9-11/. Accessed 12 Sep. 2023.
Baker-Brian, Nicholas. “9/11: how politicians and the media turned terrorism into an Islamic issue.” The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2021, https://theconversation.com/9-11-how-politicians-and-the-media-turned-terrorism-into-an-islamic-issue-167733. Accessed 12 Sep. 2023.
