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Media Coverage of the Middle East: Perception and Foreign Policy

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  • JACK G. SHAHEEN

Abstract

A distorted media image of the Arab people is becoming ingrained in American culture and continues to inhibit a resolution of the Middle East conflict. Seemingly innocuous vehicles of entertainment, such as television programs, motion pictures, novels, and comics, help promote the image to unsuspecting audiences, and these audiences relay the image to subsequent audiences. News correspondents' misperceptions of Arabs permeate their reports, policymakers' crucial decisions may be influenced by those unrealistic perceptions, and the public's stereotypical images may affect the formation and acceptance of policy. In order to show the extent of the harm caused by distorted images, examples from entertainment media and from news coverage will be offered. Pertinent to the image problem are illustrations of how misperceptions from the past have helped and continue to help influence policymakers' actions and decisions. Fair portrayals and accurate information are essential to foreign policy decisions; false images and incorrect information may corrupt the policymaking process.

Suggested Citation

  • Jack G. Shaheen, 1985. "Media Coverage of the Middle East: Perception and Foreign Policy," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 482(1), pages 160-175, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:482:y:1985:i:1:p:160-175
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716285482001010
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