A Systematic Literature Review of Islamophobic Discourses in International Media: Trends and Stereotypes

Abstract

Aim of the Study: This particular study intends to evaluate previous researches from the year 2017-2023 on the phenomenon of Islamophobia from western media’s perspective and to highlight the stereotypes against Muslims and Islam that often appear in the media.

Methodology: Systematic literature review is conducted and Google Scholar was used as an initial database from the year 2017-2023 with keywords “Islamophobia & Western Media” & “Western media Stereotypes of Islamophobia”. After refining the data, the studies included were analyzed using thematic analysis and five recurring themes emerged.

Findings: The findings suggest that there has been only negative representation of Islam and its followers in the western media. All of the studies reviewed found 9/11 incident to be the triggering point and record rise in anti-Islamic rhetoric, linking Muslims to be the followers of terrorist ideologies. Available literature also revealed that negative stereotypes against Muslims were not only created but also maintained through International Media discourses. The identified stereotypes included Muslims being represented as ‘others’, as a ‘social threat’, as ‘terrorists’; Muslim men being represented as extremist and Muslim women as oppressed, backward and uneducated.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the problem with westerners not having enough understanding of Islam is that they have their own experts to define and represent Islam. While West represent ‘West’, ‘East’ is also represented by West. There should be enough Muslim representatives in higher authorities and in westerner media who can depict true picture of what Islam and Muslims are like and there should also be availability of enough platforms where Muslim experts can represent true picture of Islam its followers.