The Score: Media and Popular Culture Janice J. Terry – U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East (2005) Charles University Prague The Making of U.S. Foreign Policy14 th October 2014 Course instructor: Dr. Anna VidenFelix Dotzauer

Central Aspects Anti-Islam/Muslim attitude in Western countries, specifically American media Chapter underlines the power of media and culture that heavily influences the public opinion and thus the political agenda of the US foreign policy. „Unanimity of view“ (p. 15)  „Death of solid Journalism“? (p. 16)  „Media war“? (p. 16)

Middle East in the media Misinformation Generalization/Stereotypes Mistakes & Distortions Strong, almost exclusive connection between „Muslim/Islam“ and „terrorism“ In… News coverage Popular culture Academic journals Textbooks

Popular Culture

Cycle of misinformation Media The Public Govern- ment o misinforms the public o Forms an opinion based on media information o Responds & communicates agenda to media

Discussion How far should journalists go when portraying Muslim organizations/communities? Do you agree with the author’s notion that e.g. the Hamas should be presented in a more positive way? Isn’t the “bad side” of the Hamas quite apparent? Do you think the Arab Spring changed the perception towards Muslims or Islam? Why/why not? Do you know any other examples in popular culture that depict this stereotypical conflict between west (“good guys”) and Islam (“bad guys”)? The media – the true power setting the foreign policy agenda?

Sources Terry, Janice J. (2005): The Score: Media and Popular Culture. In: U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East. p Levy, Ofer / Levy, Sharon (1996): Don't Depict Islam, the Religion, as a Menace. URL: islam-the-religion-as-a-menace html