Journalislam » Reporting on Islam Assignments (1-5)

Reporting on Islam Assignments (1-5)

Professor Geri Alumit Zeldes and Jennifer Hoewe (graduate student)

School of Journalism

Michigan State University

Assignment One

Objective: To better understand the misperceptions of Muslims and Islam perpetuated by the media.

Directions:

1. Locate five stories that in some way facilitate a misperception of Muslims or Islam. Theses stories can come from a variety of sources:

Stories published by mainstream media outlets
Stories published by independent news sources
Videos
Podcasts
Editorials and columns
Blogs
Etc.

2. Create a list of the five stories located, including links to or photocopies of each.

3. Write a paragraph-long description for each story discussing the misrepresentations of Muslims or Islam found within it.

For example, an entry that could be included in this assignment would be submitted as follows:

“A Christian on the run in Egypt” published in The Los Angeles Times on Aug. 23, 2009

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/aug/23/world/fg-egypt-convert23

This story depicts an Egyptian man struggling to live in his native country due to the oppression he faces from his Muslim compatriots. He converted to Christianity and has been persecuted relentlessly ever since. The way in which the author portrays the man’s life urges the reader to pity him and, as a result, become angry toward the Muslims who are shown to oppress him. The author bases the story on the experiences of a minority in Egypt that is likely to stir emotions in the United States, where Christianity is the majority. Furthermore, the story is not balanced in its use of sources and their descriptions of Islam. This creates a story encompassing a religious and political issue in Egypt – the extent to which religious afflictions can control the government in a nation that is overwhelmingly dominated by like-minded individuals.

Discussion questions (before assignment is completed):

1. What do you think are some of the misperceptions about Muslims and Islam being perpetuated by the media?

2. How can a reporter or media consumer spot a misperception?

Discussion questions (after assignment is completed):

1. What misperceptions did you locate? How did you locate them?

2. Why do you think these misperceptions are found in the media? Are they intentional or unintentional?

3. Why is it important for journalists to be aware of these misperceptions? Why is it important for media consumers to be aware of them?

4. Should journalists make an effort to combat these misperceptions? If so, how? If not, why?

Reporting on Islam: Assignment Two

Objective: To better understand good reporting on Muslims and Islam.

Directions:

1. Locate five stories that accurately portray Muslims or Islam. Theses stories can be from a variety of sources:

Stories published by mainstream media outlets
Stories published by independent news sources
Videos
Podcasts
Editorials and columns
Blogs
Etc.

2. Create a list of the five stories located, including links to or photocopies of each.

3. Write a paragraph-long description for each story discussing what makes it an example of good reporting.

Discussion questions (before assignment is completed):

1. What is good reporting?

2. How will you identify examples of good reporting?

3. How will your previous assignment help you identify them?

Discussion questions (after assignment is completed):

1. Why is it important for journalists to recognize examples of good reporting? Why is it important for media consumers to recognize them?

2. What will you do ensure your reporting is always an example of good reporting?

Reporting on Islam: Assignment Three

Objective: To analyze one media outlet’s coverage of Muslims and Islam within a particular country.

Directions:

1. Select a country with a sizeable Muslim population.

2. Locate five stories published by the same news outlet about Muslims or Islam within the country selected.

3. Write a 10-page paper analyzing the selected media outlet’s coverage of Muslims and Islam within the country assigned. The basic outline of the paper is as follows:

I. Pages 1 and 2

A. Provide an overview of the country (using bullet points)

1. Population

2. Capital

3. Area

4. Government and legal system

5. Economy

6. Religions

7. History (political struggles)

8. News media breakdown

II. Page 3

A. History of the news outlet under examination

B. Brief introduction of stories analyzed

III. Pages 4 through 9

A. Analyze each story selected

1. Is the story fair or unfair?

2. Is the story balanced or unbalanced?

3. What sources are used?

i. Are these sources credible? Explain.

ii. Where are they placed in the story? Is this significant?

ii. How much space/time are they given? Is this significant?

4. Do you detect bias?

i. If so, describe it.

ii. If not, describe what the news outlet did correctly.

5. How are Muslims and Islam portrayed in these stories?

B. Relate your analysis of these stories to Pamela J. Shoemaker and

Stephen D. Reese’s conclusions in the book Mediating the Message (White Plains, NY: Longman, 1996)

IV. Page 10

A. Conclusion

V. Pages 11 and 12

A. References

1. Outside sources consulted for country overview

2. Bibliographic information for each story analyzed

3. Shoemaker and Reese

Discussion questions (before assignment is completed):

1. Which countries could be covered? Then either allow students to select their countries or assign them accordingly.

2. What news outlets could be used?

Presentation (after assignment is completed):

1. Provide the class with a list of the stories you analyzed, including links.

2. Give a 10-minute presentation discussing the findings of your paper.

Create a PowerPoint to accompany the presentation

Reporting on Islam: Assignment Four

Objective: To identify story ideas relating to Muslims and Islam.

Directions:

1. Brainstorm ideas for news or feature stories about Muslims and Islam that would appeal to an international audience. Stories can be in the following formats: