It attempts to Westernize, Americanize or Europeanize the
world. Western religious groups, particularly Christian Evangelical
groups, are learning to use the media for their advantage as well,
preaching and proselytizing on the screen, and broadcasting their
mass rallies through the media. Yet all Christian groups use the
media in Asia to promote their agenda over native Asian religions,
which the media stereotypes as primitive or inhumane.
Islamic
groups have similarly realized the power of the media and spend
large sums to influence public opinion in the Western world,
stressing the humanistic side of Islam. The Islamic lobby in the
United States is one of the largest lobbies in the country pouring
billions into the political and media arenas. In Islamic countries
the power of the media is recognized both for good and ill.
The media is strictly controlled by
the state to project an Islamic image, and portray Islam only in a
positive light, while striving to keep the Western media and its
views out. The media is a tool of Islamic propaganda with religious
shows and prayers as the dominant themes.
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