Media
With networks such as CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC being live 24 hours a day, news media is easily accessible, and it has a large impact. According to a Pew Research poll, 50% of Americans mainly get their news from television, while 47% of Americans get news from online websites.
Media Influence
More than We Think
Americans are obsessed with the latest news or the most recent presidential tweet, and because of this, news travels rapidly at high volumes of viewers. In a Harvard University study, researchers found “exposure to the news media causes Americans to take public stands on specific issues, join national policy conversations, and express themselves publicly." At first glance, news media could be viewed as a source for information; however, viewing news media causes people to formulate ideas and enter conversations.
Due to the news media being influential in how people think and speak, the content of the news reported is the most important impacting factor. In a 2015 study that analyzed how unbiased news outlets in the U.S. reported on Muslims, researchers found that the terms “Islam” and “Muslims” “revolve around the topics and issues which denote a negative stance." Additionally, a research study analyzing news between 2000 and 2015 found “Within the USA, [following 9/11] there were changes in volume, themes, and stereotypical references to Islam and American Muslims." According to both research findings, the news media portraying Muslims in a negative light can be classified as a cause of islamophobia as it shapes ideas concerning Muslims through the content and how it is reported. If these reports are harsh and misrepresentative, they will breed harmful ideas concerning Muslims, resulting in discrimination against Muslims on the basis of religion.