Media, Religion and Conflict

by Lee Marsden (Editor), Heather Savigny (Editor)

Overview

International relations as a discipline has largely ignored the role of religion in shaping international events. The growth of Islamist militancy, the increasing influence of the Christian Right on US foreign policy and George Bush's war on terror changed this for good. Now more than ever we need to analyze this change and consider how religion and the way it is represented affects international politics. Lee Marsden and Heather Savigny uniquely bring together some of the leading figures in the fields of politics and media, international relations and security, and international relations and religion, including freelance journalist and newspaper columnist Nick Cohen, the international authority on politics and religion Professor Jeffrey Haynes, and Professor Justin Lewis who has a number of BBC commissions under his belt. The volume offers a series of case studies reflecting on how the media covers religion as conflict within and between states. It challenges readers to critically examine how media reportage and commentary influences perceptions and responses to religion and security.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367605575
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/30/2020
Series:	Religion and International Security
Pages:	194
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Lee Marsden is a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of East Anglia, UK, and Heather Savigny is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of East Anglia, UK

Table of Contents

List of Figures vii

List of Tables ix

Notes on Contributors xi

Acknowledgements xiii

Foreword: The New Left and the Old Far Right Nick Cohen xv

Introduction: Media, Religion and Conflict Lee Marsden Heather Savigny 1

1 'Islamic Terrorism' and the Repression of the Political Justin Lewis Paul Mason Kerry Moore 17

2 Is the BBC Biased? The Corporation and the Coverage of the 2006 Israeli-Hezbollah War Ivor Gaber Lisa Thomas 39

3 Islam as a Threat? Problematisation of Muslims in the Mass Media and Effects on the Political System Patrik Ettinger Linards Udris 59

4 Muslims in Print, or Media Events as Nodes of Cultural Conflict Henrik Bødker 81

5 The AKP Government in Turkey: Politics, Democracy and the Media Jeffrey Haynes 95

6 The Political Rhetoric of the Vatican: Aims and Strategies of the Holy See as a Transnational Actor John Bradley 115

7 Populism and Security in Political Speechmaking: The 2008 US Presidential Campaign Michael Higgins 129

8 Towards a Theorisation of the Link Between Media, Religion and Conflict Lee Marsden Heather Savigny 145

Index 163

Editorial Reviews

'The dynamic and complex relationship between the media, religion and conflict have arguably never been more central to contemporary political scholarship. This timely volume provides a fascinating and incisive window into some of the most important issues surrounding this critical subject. Packed full of empirically rigorous and theoretically sophisticated analyses, it will be essential reading for scholars and the public at large.' Richard Jackson, Aberystwyth University, UK 'Timely and important, this book brings together an impressive collection of essays. The critical assessments of the role that the media plays in transmitting and interpreting religious ideas as sources of conflict, makes this essential reading for all students of contemporary society'. Mick Temple, Staffordshire University, UK 'Media Religion and Conflcit is one of the first constructive, unbiased analyses of its kind which looks at the role of media, religion and conflict in current domestic and global politics. It forces the reader to re-evaluate media constructs, cultural perceptions and issues surrounding identity whilst examining how and why conflict occurs as a result of these self-same media stereotypes. Whilst the media is empowered to wield such enormous influence by providing only partial information, misrepresentation and effectively generating conflict by playing on people's fears, there is little hope that the 'war on terror' will ever be resolved.' M/C Reviews 'Successfully draws together many of the issues dealt with in a wide and varied selection of studies....very careful analysis...The great strength of this unusual volume lies in the care devoted to detailed analysis...a strong and well-written polemical statement...' The Round Table

From the Publisher