Legitimizing Mediated Islamophobic Actions: Example “X”

Abstract

The media plays an active role in spreading Islamophobia, with an increase in Islamophobic content and discourses in new media in recent years leading academic studies to focus on this issue. New media tools offer free and unlimited sharing opportunities to their users, becoming platforms where hate speech against religious groups is developed and spread. One such platform where freedom of speech is violated is X, formerly known as Twitter. It is crucial to determine the approach of content on social media platforms towards Islam, Muslims, and their sacred values. This study discusses posts made through burning/tearing actions on the X platform, covering the first 9 months of 2023. The findings, based on posts from 23 X accounts analyzed using qualitative-oriented content analysis, reveal that concepts related to Islam and Muslims with negative connotations were frequently used. The posts framed a narrative portraying Islam and Muslims as pro-violence, intolerant, and hostile. Acts of burning and tearing the Holy Quran were largely justified as freedom of speech, with a narrative of exclusion, accusation, distortion, and disdain towards Muslims who disagreed.