Media ethics and the coverage of Islam: Some preliminary observations on the British media

Abstract

The way Muslims are portrayed in the media is now a very contentious issue. This article makes a preliminary investigation of how the Western media views and responds to Islamic issues with special emphasis being placed upon those Muslims who live as minority groups in predominantly white societies. Much of the contention appears to be based upon cultural norms rather than specific religious doctrinal differences. Thus the historical background as to how the western society has derived its ethical value system through scholars such as Aristotle, Kant and Mill, rather than a combination of ethical and moral values as is the case with Islam is examined. A brief consideration of how ethical and moral values are presented within the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’ān illustrates this point. In conjunction with this preliminary analysis a number of pertinent articles by modern scholars such as Said, Foreman, Kabir and Cohen have been considered to examine Muslim behavior, particularly within British society and determine if the complaints made by Muslims of media victimization are justified. In conclusion, this article suggests that the media are actually operating within their own concept of ethical boundaries and if Muslims wish to be viewed in a more positive light they must then ‘walk the talk’ they eulogize by actually following more closely the moral and ethical values outlined within the Holy Qur’ān.