Representation of Islam and Christianity in the Swiss Media

Bibliographic Data

ID7500355
AuthorsUrs Dahinden (0000-0002-4487-168X, a) University of applied sciences HTW Chur and University of Zurich, Switzerland b) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland c) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland d) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland, corresponding author), Christopher Koch (0000-0001-6282-1750), Carmen Koch (a) University of applied sciences HTW Chur and University of Zurich, Switzerland b) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland c) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland d) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland), Vinzenz Wy (0000-0003-4145-1660), Vinzenz Wyss (a) University of applied sciences HTW Chur and University of Zurich, Switzerland b) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland c) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland d) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland), Guido Keel (0000-0002-2010-8823, a) University of applied sciences HTW Chur and University of Zurich, Switzerland b) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland c) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland d) University of applied sciences ZHAW Winterthur, Switzerland)
Year2011
Volume24
Issue2
Pages197-208
Publication date2011-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Empirical Theology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0922-2936 • E-ISSN: 1570-9256
PublisherBrill (PUBLISHER • NL)
DOI10.1163/157092511x603983
OpenAlexW2168755746
LanguageEN
Citations received12
References cited3

What is the role of the media in multi-religious societies? Are they aggravating latent tensions between religions or rather helping to promote mutual understanding? These are the key research questions addressed in this paper. The discussion in this paper refers to narration and framing as two theoretical approaches from communication science. The empirical findings of a media content analysis in Switzerland show strong differences between Islam and Christianity: While Christianity and its denominations are mainly presented in positive frames and positive narratives (e.g. “good mother”), the image of Islam is rather negative. Islam receives relatively high media attention, but the focus is not on Islam in Switzerland, but on Islam abroad. A number of qualitative interviews with journalists and representatives of religious organisations show that this negative image is not caused by anti-muslim attitudes, but rather the outcome of journalistic routines. The paper discusses these findings against the background of the research questions and concludes with some recommendations for journalists and representatives of religious organizations

Christianity · Epistemology · Framing (construction · History of religions · Islam · Media studies · Narrative · Sociology · Theology · Media Studies and Communication · Media, Religion, Digital Communication · Religion and Society Interactions · Gender Studies · History · Philosophy · Religious Studies

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