Negative perceptions and loathing towards Islam have resulted in Islamophobia in many countries. The Runnymede Trust Commission on British Muslims and Islamophobia (CBMI) defines Islamophobia as "an unfolded hostility towards Islam, and therefore fear or dislike of all or most Muslims". The media has portrayed negative perspectives of Islam. The media uses terms such as "Islamic extremism” or “Islamic radicalization" to define violent actions by Muslims whereas the terms change to "hate crime" or “violence" when non-Muslims conduct crimes. 

Does only Western media portray negative images about Muslim? Whether reconciliation between the media and Islamic ideology can diminish Islamophobia?  

In 2021, Isyaku Hassan and Mohd Nazri Latiff Azmi published an article, “Islamophobia in non-Western media: A content analysis of selected online newspapers”. They collected data from Nigerian and Malaysian newspapers and discovered that journalistic reports on Islam are unethical, harmful and worrisome and lead to stereotypes and hatred in people's minds against Islam. 

Bias against Islam 

Without changing the facts, these papers carried reports with a negative tone. For instance, it was reported on July 4, 2016 in the New Straits Times (Malaysia): "Gunman who killed 20 hostages in a Bangladesh café defy the outdated stereotype of Jihadists from poor backgrounds who have been radicalized in madrassas.” This news generalized that every person studying in madrassas is a jihadist. Nigerian newspaper Vanguard on July 6, 2016 reported: "Millions of Muslims on Wednesday celebrated the festival at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, marked this year by a series of deadly jihadist attacks." This research showed that Islam is portrayed as a weapon of violence not only in Western countries but also in Muslim majority countries.

Let us throw light on CNN. Jeffrey Kurebwa and Prosper Muchakabarwa wrote on 'Media Images of Islamophobia on CNN and Implications for International Relations' in 2019. CNN has been seen to broadcast Islam as the main preserver of terrorism. According to the article, "Islamophobia" results from a clash between Western and Islamic civilizations. 

Suddeutsche Zeitung, a German Publication, criticized CNN as “live coverage of the super bowl”. Al-Jazeera stated that with the invasion of Iraq in 2003, CNN only portrayed American soldiers as heroes. On October 3, 2012, Russia Today News reported about Liz Wahl's interview with Amber Lyon, a news correspondent of CNN in 2012. She said that CNN directed her to report "selectively, repetitively and falsely to bring public opinion in favour of American aggression against Iran and Syria".  

Such anti-Islamic mindset impacts their reports, ultimately resulting in biased and false reports that can be considered a political gain for the West. It is indeed appalling how skewed the media is toward a particular religion. This is how the media has shaped the public's opinion of Muslims and Islam by constantly portraying them unfavourably. 

Indian media 

Finally, let us see how Indian media depicts Islam. For this, Azhar ul Hassan Sumra's article on “Muslims and Islam in Indian English Press: Exploring the Islamophobic Discourse” published in 2020 can be discussed. This article was based on research of three Indian English newspapers: The Times of India, The Hindu and The Indian Express due to their wide circulation.  

These newspapers have portrayed Islam as the religion of socially backward, responsible for crimes and mostly non-dynamic for women. Intriguingly, we can observe heinous acts performed by several religious people in India but the religion is never blamed if it is not Islam. 

According to Mustapha Kulungu, Islam has been shaped as "Gravest Architect of Religious Violence" vis-a-vis terrorism. However, no one tries to find out why one uses Islam to justify their killings and how no other religion is being accused of terrorism or blamed for religious violence. Reconciliation is necessary because the motto of terrorists to gain popularity is being fulfilled through such news.  

Sadly, a whole community is being blamed and attacked for crimes where they are not involved. Because of the fault of a few, many Muslims are suffering as Russia Today in 2013 reported: "Dramatic Surge in Hate Crimes against Muslims Recorded in the UK." It estimated that crimes against Muslims increased when two Islamic extremists killed a soldier, Lee Rigby, in London. London witnessed almost over 500 anti-Muslim assaults in 2013. 

Understand Islam 

According to the discussion of the preceding articles, not only Western media but also media from Muslim majority nations or countries like India with millions of Muslims depict Islam as the cause of terrorism and Muslims as terrorists. It is time for the media to uplift Muslim people's stories and voices and stop publishing negative fabricated news against Islam. The word 'jihad' should be used appropriately. The basic meaning of 'jihad' in Islam for the vast majority of Muslims and in the Quran is to exert oneself, to make a great effort to obey God's will, to live a moral life, to serve the community, and to achieve social justice.  

A related application of the term is self-defence, the need to defend one's faith and community when under siege. A few people use the term as a shelter to justify their violence, but all Muslims should not bear the blame. 

Therefore, news channels and organizations should abide by international legal instruments' ethical and moral obligations. Media journals should use media ethics and policies; journalists should be accountable for their news reports. Also, a complete definition of "Islamophobia" needs to be given, and the media must convey this idea to people through reports and news. It is essential to arrange for meetings and gatherings of inter-faith dialogue with the preachers of each diversified religion and reporters of media.  

Reconciliation between media and Islamic ideologists can play a vital role in dismantling Islamophobia. International communities should criminalize the intentional propagation of hatred towards a particular faith. All peoples of the world should approach the problem of hatred toward a specific religion with the highest vigilance, empathy and understanding. 

(Monira Nazmi Jahan is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Law, East West University, Bangladesh & Nusrat Jahan Nishat is an independent researcher. Views are personal. They can be contacted at moniranazmijahan@yahoo.com)