Agenda-Setting Analysis of Media Representations: A Comparative Study of Islam and Muslims in DAWN and The Times
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study employs Agenda-Setting Theory to examine the portrayal of Islam and Muslims in two influential newspapers, DAWN (Pakistan) and The Times (United Kingdom). Utilizing a comparative content analysis, the research explores how media narratives shape public perceptions by emphasizing particular themes and attributes. The findings reveal a stark contrast in agenda-setting priorities: while DAWN foregrounds narratives of empowerment, resilience, and solidarity, The Times frequently frames Islam within a securitized discourse, linking Muslim identity to issues of integration and national security. Through the lens of first- and second-level agenda-setting, this study demonstrates how these divergent representations reflect broader socio-political ideologies, reinforcing or challenging systemic biases. Moreover, the analysis highlights how linguistic and thematic framing choices influence policy discourse, shaping public attitudes toward Muslims in their respective national contexts. By deconstructing editorial tendencies, this research contributes to the ongoing scholarly debate on media responsibility, cultural representation, and the role of journalism in fostering or mitigating Islamophobic sentiments. The study manages to underline the educative role of media in intercultural learning and policy development.
Institution: University of Technology Malaysia
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7128185663
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