City Research Online

Constructing ‘Suspect’ Communities and Britishness: Mapping British Press Coverage of Irish and Muslim Communities, 1974-2007

Nickels, H., Thomas, L., Hickman, M. & Silvestri, S. (2012). Constructing ‘Suspect’ Communities and Britishness: Mapping British Press Coverage of Irish and Muslim Communities, 1974-2007. European Journal of Communication, 27(2), pp. 135-151. doi: 10.1177/0267323112445604

Abstract

There exist many parallels between the experiences of Irish communities in Britain in the past and those of Muslim communities today. However, although they have both been the subject of negative stereotyping, intelligence profiling, wrongful arrest and prejudice, little research has been carried out comparing how these communities are represented in the media. We address this gap by mapping British press coverage of events involving Irish and Muslim communities that occurred between 1974 and 2007. Our analysis shows that both sets of communities have been represented as “suspect” to different degrees, which we attribute to varying perceptions within the press as to the nature of the threat Irish and Muslim communities are though to pose to Britain. We conclude that a central concern of the press lies with defending its own constructions of Britishness against perceived extremists, and against abuses of power and authority by the state security apparatus.

Publication Type: Article
Additional Information: Copyright Sage 2012
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Departments: School of Policy & Global Affairs > International Politics
SWORD Depositor:
[thumbnail of ConstructingSuspectCommunities_Manuscript_Revised.docx] Text - Accepted Version
Download (113kB)

Export

Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

Actions (login required)

Admin Login Admin Login