CIAO DATE: 01/03

Talking With The Islamic World: Is The Message Getting Through?
Session Two: How American and Foreign Media Present America

October 2002

Institute for the Study of Diplomacy
Georgetown University

 

Abstract

Project Director Marjorie Ransom explained that the three-panel series will analyze the image of the United States in the Muslim world and consider how the U.S. can promote favorable opinions of the U.S. and understanding and support for U.S. policy.

The February 19 panel focused on the U.S. image in the Islamic world. Jim Zogby said the problems stem from the view that the U.S. acts unilaterally; the Pew Research Center study found that 71 percent of opinion leaders in the Middle East felt this way. People in Europe, Latin America and Asia had similar opinions. Other reasons given for disliking the U.S. were: U.S. policies that contributed to the growing gap between the rich and the poor, the growing power of the U.S. multinational organizations and U.S. support for Israel. The last view is held by 95 percent of the Middle East, 82 percent of Asia, 78 percent of Latin America and 68 percent of West Europe.

Ms. Dergham insisted that the problem is fundamental differences on policy, while Dr. Ahmed saw great pain in the Islamic world, not just from painful political situations, but also from the negative image of American Muslims in the American media and movies. He feels that the culture of the West constantly humiliates the Muslim community.

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