| This study combines empirical communication research, political, and psychology research to gain a better understanding of effects of the media on Muslim American Youth. The purpose of this research is to explore media consumption habits of Muslim American youth and interpersonal communication to determine if and how media consumption and conversation affects Muslim American youth identity and perceptions of media bias. In addition, this study tested the hostile media phenomenon, using both entertainment and news content. The experimental component (N=127) tested whether Muslim American youth perceive news and or entertainment media portrayals of Muslims as biased against Muslims. This tested indirect effects of media on Muslim Americans responses to questions regarding their socialization, media habits, ethnicity, religiosity, self esteem, perceived discrimination, and media perceptions. Participants ages 8 -- 18, who attend an Islamic school, were randomly assigned to one of two conditions; they either saw a 4 minutes news clip or a 4 minute entertainment clip. Results from the post-test response indicated that there was no significant difference between participants who watched the news clip and those who watched the entertainment clip, neither group thought portrayal of Muslim was negative; however, participants who watched the entertainment clip were more emotionally aroused than those who saw the news clip, that is students were more upset watching an entertainment program than news about Muslims. And finally, there was no support for the hostile media phenomenon. Students did not think either entertainment or news was biased against Muslim nor did they think other students would think negatively of Muslim after watching either clip. This study is the first of its kind to test the hostile media phenomenon in youth. This study has strong social implications in the advancement of understanding Muslim American youth identity, and media consumption. |
