جسور المعرفة
Volume 8, Numéro 1, Pages 650-656
2022-03-31

Media Portrayal Shaping Attitudes Towards Muslims In The U.s.

Authors : Bentaleb Ibtissam .

Abstract

Muslim groups in the U.S. experience significant discrimination and hate crime rates. They were accused of several terrorist attacks occurring worldwide, particularly the September 11th Attacks occurring in the U.S. That led to widespread negative perception and intolerance towards the Muslim minority. The situation was exacerbated by negative media coverage, portraying Muslims as outsiders posing a real threat to American safety. The article reveals the important role the media plays in shaping American public opinion toward Muslims. Data were collected from previously conducted research studies. Conclusions were drawn from the most read newspapers and watched news networks, including USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Fox News, CNN, and MSNBC. The study concludes that media coverage focusing on problematic themes, including terrorism, intercultural clash, and stereotypes serve as an essential influencer that undermine the Muslim integration and assimilation levels within American society.

Keywords

American Public Opinion ; Assimilation ; Media ; Muslims ; Stereotypes