Dissertation again Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7000 words

Dissertation again - Essay Example This study includes a content analysis based on the literature reviewed, and concludes that the global media in general and the American media in particular portrayed the Muslim world and Islam negatively; displaying a heightened fear, hatred, and hostility toward the said community. The terrorist attacks on the twin towers on September 11, 2001 changed, perhaps forever, the manner in which the world in general, and the Western world in particular perceived Islam and Muslims. As the media carried news about the terror attacks and the men behind it, the majority of whom were identified as Arabs from the Middle East, the perception of Muslims changed drastically. The sheer scale of the attack and extent of damage caused due to the attacks that deliberately targeted one of Americas greatest symbols of capitalism, power and world supremacy brought a relatively obscure facet of Islam to the forefront and in international spotlight. It now began to be perceived as highly violent, intolerant, and hostile to the western world. The cover story on News Week titled Muslim Rage, is a case in point. Islam has been depicted as a united group of people who share no similarities with the western world, and are intimidating, aggressive, intolerant and hostile to it. This image of Islam is drastically different to that of the educated, liberal, and secular West. The difference was apparent after the 9/11 attacks and the conflict inevitable. The events of September 11, only further highlighted it and resulted in differentiating the two and led to the battle of ‘them’ versus ‘us’ (Gunduz, 2007). The American Media increasingly began portraying Islam as intimidating and something to be feared, giving rise to Islamophobia. According to Seib (2004) news coverage of events especially those with political underpinnings thrives on events and