PRESENTATION OF ISLAM IN THE WESTERN ELECTRONIC MEDIA WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIZES ON THE INTERNET

Abstract

The electronic media have a special place in people's lives and the influence they have on the formation of consciousness among people on certain issues is obvious, so that the way they launch information to the public is very important. Even before September 11, there had been a negative portrayal of Islam in the West, and today it is further stimulated and broadened. The Western media propaganda, which abuse the freedom of speech and the freedom of press, bear much responsibility for this. We can observe the inaccuracies and the bias in the reporting about Islam on television and the Internet, so that the Muslims are brought into a context of gender inequality, hijab (scars) as a symbol of extremism and non-integration, terrorism, radicalism, conservatism, backwardness and the like. Although there is an increase in the number of Internet websites which attempt to offer unbiased reporting, as do the alternative TV stations with Islamic content, one must wonder whether they are reaching the audience? Whether it is the case of intentional or unintentional falsification, we have to ask ourselves to what extent do the Muslims contribute to the abuse of the media and what it is they are doing to combat such an occurrence. The struggle against false portrayal of Islam is a task that demands total cooperation among Muslims with the aim of integration and the advancement of available means and capabilities required for the use of a wide spectre of mass-media for the dissemination of the message of Islam.