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Title POLITICIZING CARTOONS, CARTOONIZING POLITICS: A SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF AMERICAN MEDIA POLITICAL CARTOONS ON ISLAM

Author(s) SIDRA REHMAN

Abstract Language can serve multiple purposes while acting as a mode of routine communication, an element of customary socialization and a tool for ideological propagation. In the contemporary era, language use in media, known as media discourse, has been revolutionized due to its availability in various forms. In its every form, media discourse has the power to influence ideology formation and alteration practices. In this regard, American newspapers with their famous political cartoons are read globally. People have easy online access to social, religious and political contents of these cartoons, which contributes in shaping their ideologies. In the scenario of 9/11 attack, this study attempts to explore the image of Islam as portrayed by the American media. In this regard, the study aims to analyse selected American media cartoons related with Islam, to disclose what kind of ideologies they promote with respect to this religion, particularly about its followers. This research is contributing in the field of semiotics while dealing with the identification of denotation and connotation of Islamophic signs. For the purpose of extracting meaning from these cartoons, semiotic model of Roland Barthes has been used. The findings reveal that American media has depicted Islam in the negative way, while making a connotative link between Muslims and terrorist activities. This attitude is not naturally built but has been promoted by highlighting the extremist activities of those who have taken the outlook of Muslims in the name of different Islamic activities especially Jihad. At the end, researcher has made reference towards the UN charter of human rights and how America is negating its articles of religious and individual freedom. Few recommendations regarding the change of set myth about Islam have also been provided in the last section of this research. Key Words: Language; power; media discourse; ideology/myth; religion; Islam; America; political cartoons; semiotic model; UN charter

Type Thesis/Dissertation MS

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2018-11-30

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