Repeating patterns? Effects of communication patterns in media coverage about Muslims, Islam, and Islamist terrorism

The present chapter describes communication patterns about Muslims, Islam, and Islamist terrorism in the media and reviews research on media effects triggered by particular communication patterns. We bring together different strands in the literature improving the understanding in regard to communication patterns and their consequences. First, we introduce and describe our model of communication patterns and review key research findings in the field. Second, we focus on media effects and examine current findings related to the consequences of media communication patterns about Muslims and Islam. Third, we focus on Muslims as a group and examine how Muslims living in Western societies perceive and assess mediated communication patterns about Muslims and Islam. Finally, we summarize key findings and implications, and discuss how to change communication patterns to improve mediated communication about Muslims and Islam.