As I discussed, this year-long reflection is going to take on a number of different directions, and, truthfully, I have no idea where the hell it's going to go.
With that in mind, I'm including a link to an article that I found on Twitter. Obviously, I'm on Twitter way too much of the time, and I follow many folks from inside the Muslim world. This article, written by Kalpana Jain, shares the thoughts of Hannah Allam, who wrote for BuzzFeed News, on how reporters should report on Islam and Muslims in the US. It showed up on journalistsresource, org, and I shared it on Twitter and Facebook. Here's the link. Simply on the level of a discourse on the media and how to report on Islam it makes for an important story, but it also delves into the complexity/diversity of the Muslim experience in America and how it is so often, intentionally and unintentionally, misrepresented.
While you should follow the link and read the article, I'll summarized her points:
1. In seeking the perspectives of Muslims, look beyond the mosques.
From the article: "According to a Pew Research Center survey, 4 in 10 American Muslims attend a mosque weekly. About 30 percent of American Muslims go to a mosque only a few times a year, and about 25 percent do not go at all." So, when reporters are researching a story and they dutifully start by contacting that Imam at a local mosque they are providing a valuable insight, as compared to simply reporting on what they think is true, but it also is hardly representative of the experience of all American Muslims. What I thought was that while the truly devout may find these numbers troubling, it doesn't make them any less true. If all the stories represent all Muslims as praying in the mosque then it dramatically oversimplifies the actual world of American Muslims.
2. Before choosing to use an Arabic word in a story, think about why you're choosing it.
From the article: "When reporting on Islam for English-speaking news outlets, many journalists use Arabic terms or other foreign words such as 'Allah,' 'hijab' or 'Sharia.' 'Allah' is Arabic for God, while 'hijab' is not just a head covering; it is a broad term to describe modest dress."
"Similarly, she recommends that reports ask themselves why they are using an Arabic word for God. It makes sense to use 'Allah' within a direct quote, or within a specific reference, such as a Muslim greeting of 'Inshallah,' which means "God willing,' she says. But in a ore general reference to God, she cautions against using the word 'Allah' just because the story refers to Muslims. She urges reporters to ask: If a reporter would not use the 'Dios,' the Spanish word for 'God,' when reporting on religion in relation to Latinos, why would they refer to God as 'Allah' in stories about Muslims? That makes it appear as thought Muslims worship a different God and makes them look like 'the other,' Allam says."
3. Don't overgeneralize.
From the article: "American Muslims are a highly diverse group. There are many Muslim subcultures, traditions and practices. . . Therefore, says Allam, 'Try to stay away from writing about "the Muslim community."' There's no such thing." Islam is the most diverse religion in the world, and in the US for that matter, so it's difficult, if not impossible, to make statements that truly reflect the lives of all Muslims.
4. Be careful about portraying Islam as a roadblock to personal achievements.
Essentially, if your subjects aren't newsworthy apart from being Muslims why are you writing about them? A story about the first female Muslim members of Congress is a hallmark, playing basketball while wearing a hijab is not a story. It is reductive and condescending.
5. Make an effort to include Muslim voices in many types of stories.
From the article: "On the other hand, Allam encourages reporters to include Muslim voices in stories that are not explicitly about Islam. Quote them in stories about topics other than religion, hate crimes or national security." As Allam points out, 11% of New York City's engineers are Muslims, so why would you not value them as a source in a story about engineers in New York City?
6. Showcase diversity in your image choices, too.
Don't simply use stock footage. Endless shots of women wearing a hijab or older men praying in a mosque is hardly representative of the Muslim experience.
With that in mind, I'm including a link to an article that I found on Twitter. Obviously, I'm on Twitter way too much of the time, and I follow many folks from inside the Muslim world. This article, written by Kalpana Jain, shares the thoughts of Hannah Allam, who wrote for BuzzFeed News, on how reporters should report on Islam and Muslims in the US. It showed up on journalistsresource, org, and I shared it on Twitter and Facebook. Here's the link. Simply on the level of a discourse on the media and how to report on Islam it makes for an important story, but it also delves into the complexity/diversity of the Muslim experience in America and how it is so often, intentionally and unintentionally, misrepresented.
While you should follow the link and read the article, I'll summarized her points:
1. In seeking the perspectives of Muslims, look beyond the mosques.
From the article: "According to a Pew Research Center survey, 4 in 10 American Muslims attend a mosque weekly. About 30 percent of American Muslims go to a mosque only a few times a year, and about 25 percent do not go at all." So, when reporters are researching a story and they dutifully start by contacting that Imam at a local mosque they are providing a valuable insight, as compared to simply reporting on what they think is true, but it also is hardly representative of the experience of all American Muslims. What I thought was that while the truly devout may find these numbers troubling, it doesn't make them any less true. If all the stories represent all Muslims as praying in the mosque then it dramatically oversimplifies the actual world of American Muslims.
2. Before choosing to use an Arabic word in a story, think about why you're choosing it.
From the article: "When reporting on Islam for English-speaking news outlets, many journalists use Arabic terms or other foreign words such as 'Allah,' 'hijab' or 'Sharia.' 'Allah' is Arabic for God, while 'hijab' is not just a head covering; it is a broad term to describe modest dress."
"Similarly, she recommends that reports ask themselves why they are using an Arabic word for God. It makes sense to use 'Allah' within a direct quote, or within a specific reference, such as a Muslim greeting of 'Inshallah,' which means "God willing,' she says. But in a ore general reference to God, she cautions against using the word 'Allah' just because the story refers to Muslims. She urges reporters to ask: If a reporter would not use the 'Dios,' the Spanish word for 'God,' when reporting on religion in relation to Latinos, why would they refer to God as 'Allah' in stories about Muslims? That makes it appear as thought Muslims worship a different God and makes them look like 'the other,' Allam says."
3. Don't overgeneralize.
From the article: "American Muslims are a highly diverse group. There are many Muslim subcultures, traditions and practices. . . Therefore, says Allam, 'Try to stay away from writing about "the Muslim community."' There's no such thing." Islam is the most diverse religion in the world, and in the US for that matter, so it's difficult, if not impossible, to make statements that truly reflect the lives of all Muslims.
4. Be careful about portraying Islam as a roadblock to personal achievements.
Essentially, if your subjects aren't newsworthy apart from being Muslims why are you writing about them? A story about the first female Muslim members of Congress is a hallmark, playing basketball while wearing a hijab is not a story. It is reductive and condescending.
5. Make an effort to include Muslim voices in many types of stories.
From the article: "On the other hand, Allam encourages reporters to include Muslim voices in stories that are not explicitly about Islam. Quote them in stories about topics other than religion, hate crimes or national security." As Allam points out, 11% of New York City's engineers are Muslims, so why would you not value them as a source in a story about engineers in New York City?
6. Showcase diversity in your image choices, too.
Don't simply use stock footage. Endless shots of women wearing a hijab or older men praying in a mosque is hardly representative of the Muslim experience.
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