Portrayals of Islam in the Wake of Terrorism: A Content Analysis of French & American Media

Abstract

This thesis investigates how elite French and American media portray Islam and Muslims before and after major terrorist attacks. My research question is: How does elite French and American media coverage in the days preceding and following terrorist attacks frame Islam and/or Muslims? I have three hypotheses: First, American media will discuss Islam/Muslims more often than French media in the aftermath of terrorist attacks. Second, the majority of French media will frame Islam and Muslims internationally, whereas American media will discuss Muslims in a more domestic context. Third, American media will frame Islam and Muslims in a sympathetic/humanizing way more so than French media. Quantitative and latent content analysis revealed that both French and American elite media use a combination of negative/threatening and sympathetic/humanizing framing techniques before and after each terrorist attack. Ultimately there was not a clear and consistent difference between French and American media as my hypotheses predicted.