Muslims and Media
Perception, Reality and how you can make a
difference.
Javed Mohammed
Writer-Producer
Writer-
k2film@live.com
Changing the world one story at a time
Copyright 2008

What image do you want to
be associated with?

This?

Or this?

This

Or this?

This

Or this?

Perception is reality
Well pretty close.

So who decides perception?
You + me + them

What if 6 Billionaires decided what
300 Million Americans
watch, hear, read?
Rupert Murdoch

That’s right.
6 corporations own 90% of media
holdings in the US.
Others

The Mighty 6
1. Viacom
2. Disney
3. Time Warner
4. General
Electric
5. Bertelsmann
6. News Corp

So how
does this
impact me?
Less faces, same
voice

Now here are some interesting
stats from a survey done by
How do Americans perceive
Muslims?

First thoughts about Muslims
CAIR Poll Results
Positive
Comments,
Negative 6, 7%
Comments,
26, 29%
War, hatred,
violence
Terrorists,
enemies,
Osama bin Laden Neutral
Oppressed women Comments,
57, 64%
CAIR Survey: 2005

–ve vs +ve images,
10:1
vs

So what does all this mean?

Is there no hope?

Absolutely there is: You can
still make a difference!

We just have to work harder,
smarter, everyone. No Excuses

How?
Control the Controllables
Use
Alternative
media

Share positive inspiring
messages

Become or recruit an Aficionado

What’s a…?
Aficionado: a Well-wisher, an
enthusiastic admirer, a fan.
Someone, anyone who shares your
feelings and expresses sympathy or hopes
that something will be successful.

OK, so I found my Aficionado,
I have a message, now what.
You’re off to a good start, now breathe in,
Get set,…

Research it
Has subject
been covered
before?

If not: what is the best medium
to get the message across?
Lecture, opinion
newspaper,
short story,
book, video,
podcast, TV,
film?

Are you the best person for this
task or should you partner with
someone?

Let’s take a lesson from the
movies.

But I’m not famous!

Don’t worry.
But if you’re rich it helps

I’m not rich either?
Well you could sell your kidneys.
or how about a garage sale?

OK there is one last option. Be
controversial.
That’ll get you in the news

Actions you can take
Stop blaming
“them.” The
problem is
“us.”

Actions you can take
It’s easy to be
a “critic”
CRITIC

Actions you can take
Instead
become a
“producer.”

Actions you can take
Start
somewhere,
anywhere

Actions you can take
Watch
movies with a
critical eye.

Actions you can take
Watch the
special
features
(making off)
on DVDs

Actions you can take
Take a
creative
writing class

Take classes
“Introduction to
film.”
A Screenwriting
class
No matter what your age or interest at a community college

Actions you can take
Write “Letters
to the editor”
or “an opinion
piece”

Actions you can take
Write a short
story or even
a novel,…

Actions you can take
Listen to
different radio
shows.

Actions you can take
Call in with an
opinion or
some
expertise.

Last but not least Subscribe
Ask Libraries, colleges
institutions to buy/subscribe
Use word of
mouth and Donate, Sponsor, Sell
words of
hands
http://www.myfavoritereview.com/
“The example of a good word is like a good tree”
Muhammad, Prophet of Islam

Reference
All images are used under “fair use” and
obtained from the public domain. They are
the property of the respective copyright
holders.
Please Note: I started to keep track of sources but it became too
cumbersome.

Part 2 of this presentation:
From Hollywood to Bollywood:
The changing role of Muslims
In film is also available on
slideshare.