Seeing Is Believing: How Entertainment Media Portrayals of Muslims Shape Public Support for Anti-Muslim Policies

• In Event: Media and Politics

Abstract

Muslims in the United States remain one of the most vilified and misunderstood religious groups, frequently depicted in entertainment television through harmful tropes such as terrorists, villains, or chauvinists. While past research has linked biased news media coverage of Muslims to increased Islamophobia, relatively little is known about how portrayals of Muslims in entertainment media affect audience attitudes and support for related public policies. This paper addresses that gap through an original experimental study measuring how television representations of Muslims influence public opinion and intergroup attitudes.

This qualitative study assesses the effects of four types of Muslim portrayals—positive, negative, mixed, and neutral—on viewer perceptions and support for anti-democratic or anti-Muslim policies. Participants (N=1005) completed a survey after viewing one of three television shows that contained one of the four portrayals of Muslims.  The study investigates underlying psychological mechanisms, such as symbolic threat and intergroup anxiety, and the moderating role of individual differences like political ideology and prior exposure to Muslims.

Results indicate that portrayals significantly shape policy support and intergroup attitudes. Exposure to positive representations of Muslims led to:

-Reduced support for anti-Muslim and undemocratic policies;

-Increased warmth and identification with Muslims;

-Lower symbolic threat and social distancing scores.

Conversely, negative portrayals increased intergroup anxiety and contributed to greater support for exclusionary or discriminatory policies. Participants shown mixed portrayals fell between these extremes, underscoring the nuanced effects of partial stereotyping and ambivalence in media narratives.

These findings have important implications for policymakers, media producers, and civil society organizations seeking to mitigate Islamophobia and promote inclusive cultural narratives. The study suggests that efforts to improve the quality and authenticity of Muslim representation in entertainment media can serve not only as a cultural intervention, but also as a public policy strategy to reduce bias and enhance social cohesion.

This submission is relevant to scholars and practitioners interested in media effects, racial and religious equity, and policy-informed interventions to combat prejudice. The author is open to presenting the findings as a poster, joining a panel, or serving as a discussant for related sessions.

Author

• Sajeela Munir, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding
  Presenting Author