Islam-related News Credibility in Selected Nigerian and Malaysian Newspapers (original) (raw)
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Analysis of News Coverage of Islam in Selected Nigerian Online Newspapers
Zaria Journal of Communication, 2021
A huge amount of media coverage was devoted to Islam and Muslims after the 9/11 attacks. As a result, a media version of Islam became widely known. The topic of news coverage of Islam, particularly in western media, has been explored by many researchers. However, research into the news coverage of Islam in non-western media is either lacking or inadequate. Therefore, this study aims to identify the most common type of news used in covering Islam and determine the extent of Islam-related news coverage in selected Nigerian online newspapers. The Punch and Vanguard newspapers were chosen based on readership and online popularity. News articles related to Islam were gathered from the digital archives of the selected newspapers from November 2015 to September 2016 using "Islam" and "Muslims" as keywords. A total of 247 news articles were gathered and examined. The findings showed that the selected newspapers used more straight news stories in covering Islam-related events compared to feature stories. Additionally, the selected newspapers paid more attention to national Islam-related news than local or global news. These findings suggest that the selected newspapers tend to pay much attention to Islam-related events at the national level. Further analysis of the findings revealed that the selected newspapers covered Islam in the context of conflict. It was envisaged that this study would be useful, particularly to journalists, by providing information that could be used to improve news coverage of Islam. This study was limited to a sample of two online newspapers; hence, further research may employ a larger sample or consider other forms of media, such as radio and television.
A Content Analysis of Islam-related News Coverage in Selected Malaysian Online Newspapers
Malaysian Journal of Qualitative Research, 2021
The media-generated misconception of Islam is not a new phenomenon. However, a huge amount of media coverage of Islam and Muslims, especially after the 9/11 attacks, resulted in a widespread awareness of the religion and its adherents. Several studies have explored how Islam is reported in western media. Therefore, this study focuses on how non-western media cover Islam-related news. The study aims to identify the most common type of news used in covering Islam and determine the extent of Islam-related news coverage in selected Malaysian online newspapers. The Star and New Straits Times were chosen based on readership and online popularity. News articles related to Islam were gathered from the digital archives of the selected newspapers from November 2015 to September 2016 using "Islam" and "Muslims" as keywords. A total of 352 news articles were gathered and subjected to content analysis. The findings showed that a large majority (90.9%) of the Islam-related articles published in the selected newspapers contained straight news stories while only 9.1% contained feature stories. Additionally, more than half (57.7%) of the Islam-related news articles covered global news, and more than onethird (37.2%) of the articles covered national news, while only 5.1% covered local news. These findings imply that the selected newspapers tend to create the image of Islam globally. Further analysis of the findings revealed that the selected newspapers covered Islam in the context of conflict. It was envisaged that this study would be beneficial, especially to journalists, by providing information that could be used to improve news coverage of Islam.
Framing Islam in News Reporting: A Comparative Content Analysis
The emergence of modern communication technology suggests that the society as a whole is now a simple hostage at the hands of the media. However, the time has come to ask whether the people are being managed, manipulated, massaged or brainwashed by the media. Media contents are unjustifiably dominated by expressions that create negative impressions of Islam. As a result, the media accentuate anti-Muslim bias and bigotry. This study aims to comparatively examine how Nigerian and Malaysian newspapers frame Islam-related events in news reporting. Using purposive sampling, Punch and Vanguard were chosen from Nigeria while The Star and New Straits Times were chosen from Malaysia based on their popularity and readership. Relevant news articles that focus upon reports about Islam or Muslims were collected from the selected newspapers using internet-based search from November 2015 until September 2016. The newspapers produced 599 different Islam-related news articles within this period. The study found that out of 599 news articles published in the selected newspapers, 228 portrayed Islam in conflict situation by using conflict frame. For the rest, 60 news articles used consequence frame, 32 used crime frame, 11 used responsibility frame, 19 used morality frame, and 249 portrayed Islam using human interest frame. Nigerian newspapers used more conflict frames in reporting Islam than Malaysian newspapers. Collective efforts of journalists, editors, and corporate ownership of the newspapers should be directed toward suppressing the negative media portrayal of Islam.
Influences on Islam-related News Content: Media Experts’ Perspectives
e-Bangi Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
Islam is often portrayed negatively through manipulation of news content. Thus, a growing number of scholars have expressed concern over how Islam-related news is constructed. Therefore, this study aims to address the question of what influences Islam-related news content from the media experts' perspectives. The study employed a qualitative approach in which interviews were used as a data-gathering instrument. The participants consist of experts in the field of media and communication. Altogether, six experts were selected based on their intellectual ability and willingness to respond to the interview questions. The interview data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The findings revealed that journalists' prejudices, inadequate training, as well as media ownership are critical in the process of Islam-related news formation. These influences represent a serious problem that constitutes an obstacle to a good reporting of religion. It was envisaged that this study would be useful to journalists, media owners, governments, media policymakers, and other responsible bodies particularly in the process of news gathering, production, and dissemination. This study could also advance our understanding of the complex factors shaping Islam-related news content.
Islamic News Coverage By The International News Agencies In The Star And Sunday Star 2010
The study examined how the news of Islam and Muslims were portrayed in The Star and Sunday Star newspapers in year 2010. The study used quantitative content analysis method and a total of 249 news associated to Islam and Muslims in year 2010 were analysed. The result showed that criminality or violence had dominated the news theme which constituted 91 (36.5%). In terms of tone of the news, 175 (70.3%) were negative and only 47 (18.9%) were perceived as positive and the remaining were perceived as neutral. In summary, the issue on religion and faith (Islam) in the media still continuous in negative way and it needs a tremendous transformation to change the image of Islam and Muslims in the eyes of people over the world.
Arab World English Journal, 2020
The manner in which language is utilized in reporting Islam is disheartening. This is because sensationalized language, especially in the news media, could reinforce negative stereotypes. As such, those who rely on the media to understand Islam are likely to develop negative preconceptions about the religion. This study aims to investigate how the non-western online newspapers use language in news coverage of Islam. Content analysis was used to collect and analyze the data. Using purposive sampling, Punch and Vanguard were selected from Nigeria while The Star and New Straits Times were selected from Malaysia. A total of 599 Islam-related news articles were collected from the selected newspapers using internet-based search from November 2015 until September 2016. The findings showed that almost half of the overall Islam-related articles conveyed negative tone toward Islam while very few conveyed positive tone. This shows that the language used in news coverage of Islam is inappropriate and sensational. Hence, there is a need to enhance the reporters' knowledge and writing skills through inter-media exchange program, exposure to different religious, social and cultural lives, workshops, seminars, conferences, as well as sensitivity training and retraining on reporting religions.
International News Agency: Portrayal of Islam and Muslims in BBC News (2015)
This research discovers the portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the news reporting by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) from March 6th, 2015 to April 6th, 2015 and retrieves the required data from their online editions, BBC News. It is a content analysis of 141 news titles that focusing on the Islam and Muslims around the globe. The findings clarify that news reporting illustrated Muslim and Islam negatively in the writing. The news reporting concentrated mostly in issues such religious affairs, security, politics and least on social, education, diplomatic, history, women, health and entertainment. Key words: Islam, Muslim, BBC Online News
International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 2020
Researching on Islam and Muslims-related issues in the media have been a never-ending debate and always have been updated time by time. It catches the attention of academics, scholars, preachers, researchers to discuss on the alternative platform in reducing or somewhat controlling what the media should report about particularly on Islam and Muslims issues. The aim of this study is to examine the reportings related to Islam and Muslims issues of the Western newspapers. Interviews were conducted among eight Malaysian media practitioners to identify how they translate the meaning of work as a journalist in Islamic context, and also to find out their best practices in producing a balanced and fair news reporting. The interviews were later transcribed verbatimly, analyzed and deliberated their experiences towards this issue. Results show that they believe as Muslim journalists, they should be true, trusted and not bias in reporting news. Further, they also find out that having good references from experts and doing some research before reporting on any issues are very important especially in reporting news globally. Thus for them, the adaptation of good journalistic practices represent a positive image of Islam and Muslims in order to continue creating a surrounding of Islam and Muslims at present and in the future.
‘Abqari Journal, 2020
The idea to embark this study on Islam and Muslim issues is still relevant due to there are many reportings from the Western media especially about Middle East. On that account, the purpose of this study is to find out the solution to encourage more positive reporting about Islam and Muslim issues. Eight Malaysian media practitioners have been interviewed to share their experiences and ideas in finding an answer to formulate a new, fair and balanced guideline to be practiced. All of them were interviewed via face-to-face methods and phone calls. From the interview, the researchers found out the important tips with regards to assisting students, journalists and individuals to become more expert in writing news accurately. The researchers found out how a journalist played the role of an Islamic journalist and anchor the meaning of Islamic journalism. In addition, the results of this study also managed to formulate a guideline in writing reports or news related to Islam and Muslim com...
Islam in Malaysian News: The Case of Utusan Malaysia and Sinar Harian
Regional Conference on Science, Technology and Social Sciences (RCSTSS 2014), 2016
This article examines the neutrality of Sinar Harian, a Malay daily, which claims to be neutral and without favour, from 20 April 2013 to 5 May 2013, 15-day campaign period of Malaysia's 2013 General Election. The 13 General Election was the most contentious of election in Malaysian politics. Sinar Harian attempts to th present a balanced reporting, by giving spaces to both parties to present their ideas and defend their stand, rooms which are not available in other mainstreams newspapers. This study uses content analysis as a method of investigation. It is a technique of gathering and analyzing the content of text. The analyses cover these dimensions; news report and analyses, letters to the Editor, political advertisements and special guest columns. This study found 33% of articles favored BN, 36% covered PR, 24% of articles considered as neutral reports and 6% of articles reported the activities of independent candidates. Using Monti's classification of biasedunbiased reports, Sinar Harian can be categorized as unbiased newspaper.