| Abstract |
The aim of the fellowship is to develop my PhD research of how journalists understand their role in democratic society and how they account for the contradictory nature of this role when it comes to the negative representation of Muslims in multicultural, egalitarian Britain. For decades, academic scholars have highlighted the problematic nature of the representation of Muslims in the British press but until now there has been no consensus between academia and the British press on how to redress this negative bias. Under the fellowship, I will share this insight by making substantial progress in the preparation of a monograph of my thesis, drawing on my mentor's expertise in the study of media representations and Muslims. My monograph will contribute to scholarship in the field by sharing the under-explored contradictions between the democratic ideals of journalists and their practices in the portrayal of Muslims in the press. To feed into a chapter of the monograph and identify future impact possibilities, I will conduct a desk-research based systematic review of international interventions to improve journalistic practices when reporting on Muslims. To further build my publication track record, I will develop the wider theme of my research (the role of contradiction in understanding journalism's role in democratic society) through the production of two journal articles (one co-authored with my mentor) with a view to instigate further research. Both the developing monograph and journal articles will be informed through two conference papers sharing my research and impact work and through engagement with research networks in journalism/media studies and in ethnicity/citizenship. My research was distinctive from other studies as it used in-depth interviews with journalists to gain an 'insider' analysis for why the negative bias against Muslims endures in the media and how spaces for resistance, contradiction and contestation of these representations can be found and operationalised. By recognising the contradictions journalists experience when reporting Muslim-related stories, it becomes possible to re-conceptualise journalists' practices in line with their civic role in society. This involves a reconsideration of how journalists view their audiences and ideas of public interest together with a reinterpretation of the values, codes and conventions of democratic journalism to align with a wider public interest that places Muslims as an integral part of British society. To further impact on reforming how Muslims are represented in the British press, I will meet key stakeholders such as press regulators IPSO and IMPRESS and media campaigner CfMM to share my research insight with a view of influencing journalism policy. I will seek their input with the development and distribution of the local journalism toolkit and workshop model. As my research finds local journalism has the potential to counteract the negative representations of national journalism, I will develop this toolkit in collaboration with a steering committee made up of project partner BMSLG (Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group), local newspapers, academics and industry advisors. The toolkit will act as a guidance for local journalists on best practice for reporting stories involving Muslims, continuing its impact beyond the fellowship. I will also organise a workshop to bring together journalists with Muslim community organisations to develop more informed journalistic practice. This workshop will act as a catalyst model for local and national newspapers to organise their own workshops in the future to build collaborative, more inclusive reporting on Muslim-related stories. To extend my standing as an emerging researcher, I will draw on the significant expertise of my mentor and other academics in the School of Journalism, Media & Culture (JOMEC) to create the springboard for my future research trajectory (including funding/fellowships). |
