Fourth International Conference on Communication & Media Studies

Abstract

There is a strong debate around Western media coverage of Islam and Muslims that they construct Muslim images from an Orientalist perception that sidelines and dehumanizes Muslims; and perceives that Islam is a threat to the West. By examining the terrorist incident in Christchurch (New Zealand) in March 2019 that killed fifty Muslims, this study argues that the Orientalist understanding of Edward Said did not work in this case. Focusing upon two mainstreaming newspapers– the New Zealand Herald and the Press– this study also argues that New Zealand newspapers played a strong role against the terrorist attack in Christchurch. Their coverage— the news, editorials and photographs— provided the message to its reader that these newspapers are pro-Muslims and supportive to the victims and their families, and the community as a whole. This study argues that these media outlets in covering the terrorist attack allocated their full energy to make unity of New Zealand and New Zealand people forget their cultural and religious difference, which proposes that New Zealand people become members of one community— people of New Zealand.