More than 780,000 articles in Western newspapers have distorted the image of Muslims

A study by researchers Eric Bleich and Moritz van der Veen found anti-Muslim abuse in more than 784,000 newspaper articles published over a 20-year period.
According to the study, which analyzed 256,000 articles published in the United States, and 528,000 in Britain, Canada and Australia between 1996 and 2016, the image of Muslims was systematically distorted compared to other ethnic groups, which contributed to fueling feelings of hostility against them and negatively affected their living conditions in Western countries.

The study linked the negative coverage with the harm inflicted on Muslims, and the emergence of policies that harmed them.

The researchers believe that recognizing and then addressing the “systematic negative” media coverage of Muslims and Islam is necessary to combat Islamophobia.