Transcript 1) religion and the Media

Religion and the Media
Write down definitions for these words
Censorship:
Condones:
Degradation:
Islamophobia:
Media:
Stereotype:
Watershed:
Religion and the Media
Write down definitions for these words
Censorship: preventing publication or broadcasting of something, usually because it
might be offensive to others
Condones: overlooks or accepts
Degradation: humiliation
Islamophobia: negative attitudes to Islam based on fear
Media: the means of mass communication
Stereotype: a fixed, over-simplified image or view of a person or group
Watershed: the time after which programmes that are unsuitable for children are
broadcast (9 p.m)
Islam and the Media
• Islam is often portrayed in a negative light in the media.
• Since the attacks on the World Trade Centre in 2001 and the
subsequent war on Terror, the way in which Islam appears in the media
has greatly changed
• Images of war, of terrorism and of ‘oppressed’ women fill newspapers
and news reports.
• Some media outlets have even published outright lies about Muslims,
while media ‘celebrities’ such as Katie Hopkins have used words such a
‘cockroaches’ and ‘rats’ to describe refugees from Muslim countries.
The Sun simply called people it deemed had
‘Muslim names’ and asked if they had sympathy
with people who travel to Syria. Only 5% DID
The Sun were forced to admit that the statistics used in this
story were at best ‘inflated’
Stories such as this only act to support
stereotypes and can be dangerously divisive for
communities.
It is worth remembering that all newspapers
and media outlets have a certain degree of bias
towards political beliefs:
Daily Mail/The Sun: Right wing populist
newspapers. They show support for the armed
forces, the Conservatives and often UKIP.
The Guardian: Left wing newspaper that
appeals to many socialists, labour and green
supporters.
Islamophobia??
Portrayal of Religious Figures in Islam
• Most Muslims believe that any representation of Allah or any living thing
created by Allah is wrong. This is called Animism and is Shirk
• The making or displaying of images of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
would also be against Islam.
• Some films have been made that accommodate this belief such as
Muhammad: The Last Prophet (2002) which does not show the Prophet
and instead use POV techniques.
The Satanic Verses and Charlie Hebdo
In 1988, Salman Rushdie wrote a book called The Satanic
Verses which caused offence to Muslims all over the
world. It questioned Muhammad’s ability to receive the
Qur’an and that he was once tricked to include verses
given to him by Satan.
Protests all over the world took place, and the religious
leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa that
Rushdie should be killed.
Charlie Hebdo magazine reproduced cartoons first
published in Denmark depicting the Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) as a terrorist. When the Danish newspaper
published them they were ask for an apology and there
were protests and riots when they refused. The offices of
Charlie Hebdo were attacked in January 2015 and 12
members of the team were murdered by Islamic
fundamentalists.
Where the publishers of Charlie Hebdo right to publish images of Muhammad (pbuh) they new
to be offensive?
‘Freedom of speech will lead to perfection and merits for the
personality and characteristics of the individual when speech is
practiced by the tongue with intellectual moderateness’
‘CRNI stands with all people who revere
free speech and democracy against this
shameful and futile act of violence’
Using the Media to represent Islam
• Many Muslim groups now try to rebalance the negative views of Islam
through using the media to educate about Islam.
• Many websites aim to show the authentic teachings of Islam and
break down any miscomprehensions people may have.
• Some website offer guidance for people looking to convert to Islam as
well as new Muslim support.
Advertising
Why might these images be seen as inappropriate in Islam?
Advertising
There have been times where religious people have complained to the
government about the use of imagery in adverts that are deemed
inappropriate.
Islam does not support censorship,
but rather respect and consideration
of others.
Sex and Violence in the Media
• Muslims do not believe that sex and violence should be shown in the
media, as it could corrupt young people.
• Violence is a last resort (think Just War) and it’s use should be to reestablish peace, therefore it should not be glorified.
• Sex is a gift from Allah and women must be protected. Pornography
subjugates women and suggest that they exists to be used by men.
Pornography has also been linked to domestic violence