News media literacy as a bridge

Alleviating antisemitic attitudes among Muslims facing discrimination

Bibliographic Data

ID13019763
AuthorsPhilip Baugut (0000-0001-8836-501X, Hochschule Macromedia), Katharina Neumann (0000-0003-4312-9587, University of Zurich), Sebastian Scherr (0000-0003-4730-1575, University of Augsburg, corresponding author)
Year2025
Publication date2025-12-12
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueCommunication and the Public (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2057-0473 • E-ISSN: 2057-0481
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/20570473251401710
OpenAlexW4417294866
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited55

We address the relationship between negative news media coverage of Islam and antisemitic attitudes among Muslims as an indicator of cognitive Islamist radicalization. Conceptually grounded in Social Identity Theory and the concept of intergroup competitive victimhood, the study investigates the effects of exposure to negative news media coverage of Muslims and Islam on Muslims living in Germany ( N = 96). While exposure to negative news does not increase Muslims’ perceptions of discrimination, it does strengthen the association between perceived discrimination and antisemitic attitudes. The findings indicate that this problematic link can be mitigated by news media literacy, highlighting the importance of such literacy as a resource to protect members of religious minorities from the negative effects caused by exposure to negative news portrayals of their religion. Explanations for these findings are discussed

Antisemitism · Identity (music · Islam · Islamophobia · Media literacy · News media · Perception · Religious discrimination · Migration, Refugees, and Integration · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence