Basic Background Information
The issue of the radicalisation of many youths, particularly Muslim Youths, in Western Society has been a matter of growing concern for many years. This has been particularly true with the rise of extremist groups such as ISIS. In recent years there has been much debate and academic focus on why youths are leaving the rich, developed Western countries to join such groups.
Case studies have demonstrated that extremist groups are luring particular age groups ranging from 15 to 21 and often those who are joining can be characterized by certain social attributes such as having a hard time fitting in their European societies as first class citizens, feeling isolated and underprivileged, lacking purpose and overwhelming feeling of insecurity and religious solidarity.
But is it just disaffected youths who have found the promise of wealth, jobs, security, and a good life in western society has passed them by or worse, ignored them ? or is it more to do with the attraction through slick media campaigns? It has been said that Jihadism is a “High Profile Brand” that appeals to young and impressionable youths.
127 our experts are availableright now
To what extent Is the media, and social media in particular, to blame for the radicalization of western youth?
It has been argued that the Western media is guilty of promoting an “us against them” image that portrays Muslims as terrorists but repairs the image of Jews and Christians. Studies have found that the US media in particular is often guilty of attempting to “repair” the image of non-Muslim citizen perpetrators by shifting attention from their malicious actions to their personal circumstances. This phenomenon of “narrative repair” also extends to European media. .
Also is the media’s portrayal of religion based crimes as terrorism only valid when it comes to Muslim perpetrators?
Do similar acts of terror perpetrated by Jews and Christians get portrayed in the same manner or are they excluded or even excused ?.
Are the media guilty of creating an image of Western civilization being the victim of terror acts committed by Islamic civilization ?
Does Western media coverage of Muslims and Islam show them in a negative context ?
Are Non-Western perspectives and sources given sufficient access to present an alternative view ?
Social media has also been a key focus in the narrative of radicalization and is often seen as the key tool that promotes radical ideologies. Do you agree and if so, why ?
Studies show that the original aim of social media is to create a virtual space for exchanging social and political ideologies across the spectrum and to help people from different backgrounds to engage in healthy debates. The reality shows that the holders of radical opinions develop a sense of polarization where they confine themselves to only radical networks with members sharing the same extremist view. In short, studies suggest that communicators tend to connect with like-minded others on the blogosphere and other types of new media. Especially when it comes to political discussions where clear ideological differences often exist, actors are likely to use their connections to signal their affiliations, to reinforce their perspectives and to echo with others who share their points of view.
As a result the young, easily lead and impressionable Youths in Europe get easily lured in by extremist groups as they find some safe haven for their religious identity without being attacked, denigrated or demonized.
Do governments have a role in allowing youths to have a voice and an acceptable outlet for their anger and frustrations, one which has the ear of authority rather than the resonance of the brick wall ?
Further Reading:-
- http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/radicalization-why-do-western-youth-join-extremist-groups
- https://www.searcct.gov.my/publications/our-publications?id=55
- http://eip.org/en/news-events/why-do-people-join-terrorist-organisations
- http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/etudes/join/2014/509977/IPOL-LIBE_ET(2014)509977_EN.pdf
