New research indicates ‘structural, systematic bias’ in UK media coverage of Muslims
A recent report by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CFMM) highlights significant anti-Muslim bias in UK media, particularly in the coverage by GB News, which accounted for nearly half of all mentions of Muslims and Islam across UK news channels.
Research published by the Centre for Media Monitoring (CFMM) on Tuesday, December 10, revealed widespread anti-Muslim bias in British media, with GB News responsible for approximately 50% of all coverage related to Muslims and Islam, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday. The two-year analysis identified “structural and systematic bias” in GB News reporting, noting an excessive focus on Muslims that borders on “obsession,” often demonizing their beliefs.
The report indicated that GB News mentioned Muslims or Islam over 17,000 times, while mainstream outlets like BBC News and Sky News accounted for 32% and 21% of mentions, respectively. It also highlighted that GB News referenced Islamophobia 1,180 times, predominantly framing it as a concept to be dismissed.
During recent far-right riots, GB News reported 62% of clips associating Muslims with the unrest, significantly more than its competitors. The violence was fueled by false claims linking a stabbing suspect to Muslim asylum seekers, contributing to a biased narrative that framed Muslims as perpetrators rather than victims.
The CFMM warned that such coverage risks inciting violence against Muslim communities and called for the UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, to take stronger action against biased reporting. In response, GB News dismissed the report as “inaccurate and defamatory,” asserting it aims to uphold free speech.
