When most people are asked to identify the reasons why a public support for an ongoing war changes, the media’s coverage usually comes on top of the list; yet most scholars neglect the influence of the media on war. The media has the ability to shape our outlook on almost every topic under the sun, this means that the general assumption that the support of a war depends on its cost and casualties alone is disfigured. Information on whether a war is being won or being lost is relayed through the media, also, are the reasons behind a war (Arraf, 2009). This influence of the media is exploited by most governments so as to justify their actions and America has not been left out. This, however, has had a negative impact on the relationship between America and Islamic states.
The Bush administration after the 9/11 attacks used the media to pass off government sponsored videos in order to get the American people to support his war on Iraq. With such media gagging going on, it is hard for many American to realize the atrocities their governments are committing on Islamic states. The continued occupation of Arab-Islamic territory by western and Israel forces has angered most Arabs and their efforts to fight back have been termed by the main stream media as ‘acts of terrorism’. With the support of the UN, Israel and the United States have continued to wage war on Arab countries with no consequences on their part. This has encouraged radicalization of many Muslims who are ready to give their lives for the sake of their land; this has seen the formation of major ‘Terrorist’ groups such as the Al-Qaeda.
With this global conflict going on, the media has label the Islam religion as condoning violence. The media has been obsessed with the Muslim-Arab hatred and has relentlessly defended Israel and America; they have displayed Arabic people as inferior and full of violence (Werner, 1981)
Discussion
Ben Affleck’s Oscar Winning movie “Argo” is about the plight of American embassy personnel who found themselves in the middle of a civil war in Iran and their plan to escape back to America. This movie, however commendable on its recreation of the events that took place, is seen by many as a tool of American propaganda. Some of the critics have legitimate concerns because the film fails to capture the accurate history behind the conflict that was ensuing.
Argo begins with a little history on how a US sponsored coup led to the installation of a dictator who was inconsiderate to the needs of his people. However, the film fails to capture the grievances of the Iranian people towards the United States and the dictatorship. The film onlyindicates that people disliked the dictator because of his spendthrift nature; however, it fails to show how the Shah used his police to arrest and torture civilians who were against the administration using methods taught by the CIA. The use of such information would have made the film more complex and unsuitable for Hollywood. Argo was an opportunity where the American people would have come into terms with their Arab counterparts, but the lack of crucial information on the film made it seem like another pro-American propaganda tool.
Another stereotype found in the movie is the creation of the Airport guards as bitter and angry people. They are depicted as suspicious of Marvel artist Jack Kirby’s and lack any sympathy towards Americans. This in effects dehumanizes all the Iranians who have grievances towards the Americans and depicts them as hungry for blood. A scene in the movie shows hundreds of workers in a factory piercing together documents that would reveal the identity of the embassy staff. In truth, the Iranian police were not interested with the embassy staff; rather, they were looking for evidence that would link some of the embassy staff to the torture of innocent Iranian citizens.
The film fails to show US atrocities done to the Iranian people; it only shows the predicament that faced the hapless embassy staff. Consequently, the film lets down its subject matter and therefore becomes propaganda which lacks true moral ambiguity.
Conclusion
Political and ideological war between the Arab-Muslim and Western world is very significant to this day and age, the struggle is recreated and circulated by the mass media. While the US and European countries have dominated the media scope, emergence of Arab media has paved way for better dialogue and mutual understanding between America and the Arab countries. However, the western media need to disband its stereotype on Arabs. It should include more Arab and Islam representation in its programming and try to highlight the true reality on the ground rather than fake ideologies peddled by those in power. On the other hand, Arab nations need to be more open to the western world to avoid assumptions that hurt their image. The media has the ability to facilitate cognizant debates and dialogues that are true to all parties.
References
Arraf, J. (2009). "Disappearing Iraq." Columbia Journalist Review, September 2009: 29-30.
Weiner, S. E. (1981). Covering Islam: How the media nad the experts determine how we see the rest of the world. New York: Pantheon Books.
