THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN COMBATING ISLAMOPHOBIA: A MODEL FOR THE POLICY AXIS

Introduction

Islamophobia, as a multidimensional form of discrimination/racism that restricts the social, cultural, and economic existence and participation of Muslims and condemns them to an unjust social framework through processes of othering, constitutes one of the most profound societal problems of our time. Efforts to combat this complex issue likewise require coordinated and strategic action at various levels. In this regard, the study presents a descriptive and strategic framework aimed at institutional practitioners, such as public bodies, civil society organizations, media institutions, and academic and technological entities, as well as individual beneficiaries. The first part of the study is devoted to establishing a conceptual and analytical framework of Islamophobia for the policy axis and to developing a coherent definition. The second part focuses on the mediated trajectory of Islamophobia from the traditional media environment to digital platforms. The final section sets out media-oriented strategic action fields for combating Islamophobia. These fields, presented in tabular form, are enriched with descriptive content, relevant actions, and selected examples of practice.