The construction of anti-islamic prejudice in the online newsweek’s articles on the issue of terrorism in 2009

Oleh :
Suci Ariyani - C0306048 - Fak. Sastra dan Seni Rupa

The incident of September 11th attacks have heightened the new anxiety of terrorism. The incident became the turning point for America to deal with terrorism which endangers its nation and citizens. This incident became the main focus of media attention around the world, including Newsweek. Newsweek as one of the biggest and influential news magazines in the U.S. also put this issue in its publications. The discussions of terror attacks in media have raised opinions about the connection of terrorism and Islam after several Muslims are suspected for being involved in the terror attacks. The image of Muslims as terrorists which threatens the society was widely perceived by the society. Consequently, the relationship of Americans and Muslims was affected by media exposures on the issue. Media exposures on the issue of terrorism have caused the emergence of anti-Islamic prejudice in the society. Anti-Islamic prejudice was caused by biased, generalized, and stereotypical images which were often presented by media. Besides, lack of understanding and experience of Islamic culture also has been becoming the cause of intolerance and prejudice toward Islam and Muslims. The research was conducted within the boundaries of American Studies by using descriptive qualitative research. The main data were taken from the online Newsweek’s articles in 2009 which focused on the issue of terrorism. There were ten articles used to uncover the construction of anti-Islamic prejudice in the online Newsweek’s articles in 2009. The supporting data were in the form of related information taken from books, journals, and articles which were functioned to support the main data. The main data were collected by using purposive sampling technique based on the topic of the research. The research analysis employed media narrative theory, socio-historical approach, semiotics approach, and rhetorical approach to find out the construction of anti-Islamic prejudice in the online Newsweek’s articles on the issue of terrorism in 2009. The research findings show that anti-Islamic prejudice is constructed in the online Newsweek’s articles on the issue of terrorism in 2009. Anti-Islamic prejudice was constructed through the use of rhetoric, generalizations, and inappropriate choice of words in the online Newsweek’s articles in 2009. From the analysis of the Newsweek’s articles, it was found out that anti-Islamic prejudice was constructed in several issues like the interpretations of jihad and stereotypes of Islam/ Muslims. In conclusion, anti-Islamic prejudice was constructed in the online Newsweek’s articles in 2009 from the way how Newsweek conveyed its news about terrorism issues.