A Critique of Representation of Islam and Muslims through Western Print Media Discourse(s)

Abstract

The present research critically decodes discourses of articles regarding the representations of Islam and Muslims. The present data has been taken from “The TIMES (daily)” form June1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. A check list of keywords was prepared by the researchers about Islam and Muslims and data was collected focusing on the keywords. The articles carrying the words were selected. Out of 67 articles which appeared during the mentioned time period, one article titled Bloodstained Religion was randomly selected for analysis. For this purpose, the study employs an amended research model to analyse data. Dijk’s analytical model has been made operational.  The analytical categories of the modified model include actor description, implicature, number game, victimization, history as a lesson, othering, lexicalization, comparison, authority, and use of disclaimer. These categories of the said model were found repeatedly in the data and hence, data was analysed accordingly.  The study concludes that western print media discourses target Islam and Muslims to propagate Islam as a violent religion and so are its followers. The sole purpose of associating Violence and extremism with Islam and Muslims is to shape the mind set of western readers that whatever Muslims claim about the peaceful nature of Islam is mere a myth. The insidious weapon of loaded language is used to make things common sense.  Muslims are represented as dangerous others who are suffering from the cancer of jihad.  This is how highly politicized terms like Islamophobia, and fundamentalism are linked with Islam, Jihad and Muslims.  Hence, print media discourses are used to propagate a desired version of reality about Islam.