Media Bias UsaOn September 11, 2001, the citizens of the United States witnessed a horrific attack on two symbolic buildings in New York City. These tragic events have galvanized the creation and implementation of a myriad of prejudicial and unconstitutional policies designed to provide the illusion of national security while simultaneous creating more instability and animosity between the West and the Middle East. In the wake of 9/11, a multitude of Americans have been overtaken by hysteria and fear. These emotional responses have been generated and intensified by the virtually unanimous Islamophobic propaganda that has been perpetuated by the main stream media. As a result of the media’s anti-Islam campaign, Americans have been persuaded to distrust Muslims, instinctively categorize Muslims as terrorist or potential terrorist, as well as sacrifice essential civil liberties. Scapegoating theorist may argue that this portrayal of Arabs and Muslims is one of the ways the U.S. government is attempting to blame this group of individuals for the economic and societal woes that plague 21st-century-America. In addition, many would argue that decades of excessive Western consumption, along with globalization have contributed to a complicated, unjust, and turbulent geopolitical and economic climate, which has created a Western need for Middle Eastern dominance. Regardless of their true motives, we can clearly witness the media’s hostile categorization of Arabs and Muslims as predominately terroristic or potentially terroristic.
The New York Post published a cartoon depicting two Muslims, who are complaining to the Associated Press about the NYPD conducting surveillance of their apartment while they are simultaneously constructing IED’s. The suspects are also surrounded by other weapons, as well as ammunition, and contraband. This cartoon exemplifies prejudice, discrimination, and racial profiling, which contribute to a national hostility toward Arabs and animosity between ethnicities and social classes. The ensuing tensions that foment as a result of the media’s propaganda campaign provoke more instability and violence into American society. Further complicating American culture is the increasing number of Arabs and Muslims who are immigrating to the New World. For years, the United States
‘s media has portrayed the American Middle East and Muslim world as a multicultural and multi-ethnic struggle. While not universally accepted as such, we have seen a broad range of diversity and understanding from both our culture and region.
It does make some sense that when the Israeli military attempts to break into Egypt’s Sinai Province through military tunnels, the news media, particularly the Washington Post and the New York Times, will not hesitate to publish reports of such a military-style attack. Though it is possible there are some instances of a “lone wolf” attack—perhaps a lone Arab soldier from a group claiming Palestinian-descended status—who are actually attacking the media, it would be wise to consider this incident as a clear violation of civil and freedom of speech by the news and entertainment media, who are the primary source of media reporting of such issues.
Additionally, when the Associated Press reported that a Palestinian-descended member of the terrorist group Islamic State was killed near the Suez Canal in the South and East of Egypt, the American press—including the AP media—sought retribution for reporting the attack. According to the media, several militants who apparently came to the attack were members of Islamic State, while the remaining five suspected members of the group were members of militant groups such as Ansar al-Sharia. However, it became apparent that the AP story was completely false because the group seemed to be fighting the Egyptian security forces. In other words, the Associated Press report was completely wrong about the organization of an Egyptian fighter in a Suez Canal tunnel.