1. 1 This project begins with the premise that media are a major source of information for people to learn about other countries, cultures and religions. What media feature and omit shapes public opinion and may also create, or at least reinforce, stereotypes. Media coverage particularly affects countries whose populations do not typically travel abroad and people who do not have direct experiences shape their opinions. The relationship between Western and Islamic countries has been historically fragile. Since 9/11 and the Iraq war, both anti-Arab/Muslim and anti-Western attitudes have spread and deepened worldwide. The terror attacks in Madrid and London, as well as the response to the Danish Mohammed cartoons made clear the resentment that large portions of the Muslim world have for the values Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité. The wave of conflicts and threats spread not only to government bodies, but also to populations. Manifestations of hatred, racism and prejudice were seen among civil society – in protests, military engagements and terrorist activities. Restoring respect and cooperation between Western and Islamic cultures represents both a political and economic necessity. But a better understanding of "the other side" is first necessary to support such growth. This international study seeks to evaluate the current state of West- Islam dialogue by analyzing coverage from opinion-leading media in 24 selected countries. The aim of the study is to diagnose the major issues that influence perceptions and generate misunderstandings. The analysis therefore takes into account all coverage of religious issues and conflicts involving the Western and Muslim worlds. Data from this study will identify flaws, trends and areas of opportunity presented in the media coverage from these 24 countries. It will also serve as the basis for a set of papers written by experts from the Western and Islamic worlds. NGO/Initiatives Media shape the inter-religious dialogue Presenter: Canon Alistair Macdonald-Radcliff General Secretary of the C-1 West Islam Dialogue

2. 2 NGO/Initiatives Methodology – How we code Step1: Print and broadcast media are evaluated for any reference to Annual Dialogue Report issues described in at least five lines or seconds. Step 2: The article’s formal aspects (medium, date, page, section, author) are coded in a Microsoft Access- based program Step 3: Each statement (subject and thematic connection) is coded according to the system outlined on the following page "Palestinian sources said that the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be held in Jericho on Thursday." – The Wall Street Journal, US Edition, 1.1.2007, Pg. 10.

3. 3 NGO/Initiatives Each subject and thematic aspect produces one "statement." Statement 1: Palestinian sources said that the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be held in Jericho on Thursday. Statement 2: Palestinian sources said that the meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be held in Jericho on Thursday. Coded VariablesCodeDescription of code Statement 1: Subject 816473Palestine Perspective601Abbas, Mahmoud Classification2Positive, takes part in dialogue Area609Palestine Time1Present Thematic Aspect208669 Relations, negotiations between Israel and Palestine Rating (explicit)‏0No explicit rating Rating (implicit)‏0No implicit rating Source of Opinion7Anonymous sources, "informed circles" Nationality609Palestine Statement 2: Subject816098Israel Perspective213Olmert, Ehud Classification2Positive, takes part in dialogue Area604Israel Time1Present Thematic Aspect208669 Relations, negotiations between Israel and Palestine Rating (explicit)‏0No explicit rating Rating (implicit)‏0No implicit rating Source of Opinion7Anonymous sources, "informed circles" Nationality609Palestine 1 statement = 1 unit of information Methodology – Sample Story

4. 4 When opinion-leading media in 24 countries reported about religion, ideologies, values and the relationship between Islam and the West, they focused almost totally on international relations and conflicts. This chart shows the percentage of coverage that was devoted to each of the five Dialogue Issues in media from each country: Impact of International Politics Religious, Ethical and Ideological Dimensions Intra- and Inter-Cultural Understanding and Education Citizenship and Integration Economic/Development Issues NGO/Initiatives Dialogue Issues in different countries

5. 5 Media in Western countries as well as in the Islamic World painted the picture of a bi-polar world: Coverage focused on the “West” – Western countries and primarily the US – and Islam, both as a religious movement and as group of countries. Christianity, Judaism and other beliefs played only a minor role in news reporting. This chart shows the percentage of statements focused on the aggregated subjects from media in each country. NGO/Initiatives Visibility of “the other”

6. 6 As coverage of the “the other” side in inter-religious coverage is primarily focused on international conflicts, it is not surprising, that overall tone on the other side – the “West” and Christianity in Muslim countries and “Islam” in Western countries – is overwhelmingly negative. But there is some hope: When the journalists address concrete projects for religious, cultural or economic exchange, the tone turns at least neutral, but even positive in some countries. This chart shows the percentage of positive, negative and neutral statements attributed to "the other" in media from each country. Coverage of Western subjects in Iran and Palestine was the most negative. NGO/Initiatives Tone toward “the other”

7. 7 Ratings towards "the other" This chart shows the percentage of positive, negative and neutral statements attributed to "the other" in media from each country. Coverage of Western subjects in Iran and Palestine was the most negative. Dialogue Issues in the Media: Ratings towards "the Other"