The Framing of Islam On Network News Following the September 11Th Attacks

Abstract

/ This article investigates the shifting discourse on Islam and Muslims in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. It seeks to investigate and compare the visual and verbal frames used to describe Islam within and outside America, which aspects of the religion were emphasized or omitted and how closely the frames of Islam concurred with the ideology of officials. Through this case study of American network news coverage post-9/11, the article argues that objective coverage of Islam is a myth, not just in America, but across the world. The author supports the problematic but necessary remedial action of urging reporters to acknowledge their subjectivity and find ways to increase their transparency regarding the choices they make in constructing their frames.