Misinformation, Health Equity, News Media: Application of Critical Race Theory (CRT) to Examine News Media’s Role in Normalizing Religious Bigotry

Abstract

One of the unintended consequences of infodemics is the subtle misinformation, especially through nonverbalized images, which often goes unexamined. In an age of (mis)infodemics, the role of news media is critical in the spread or containment of misleading information ranging from public health to religious intolerance. News media wields the power to influence public opinions, attitudes, beliefs, and even determine public agenda. News media have a history of biased reporting and influencing public opinion. Much like propaganda, it upholds status-quo perceptions on issues such as race, police brutality, terrorism, and religious bigotry. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, news media have subtly spread misleading information through story image selection, which perpetuates and exacerbates Islamophobia. We document a pattern of misleading news story images and draw from interdisciplinary research to reflect on the public health and health equity implications of the spread of such misleading information on the Muslim community in the United States. News media’s role in a free society as a neutral, transparent entity is critical that provides objective information instead of misleading stories such as sensationalized clickbait. We must hold news media to a higher standard to achieve an open, fair, and free society. News media can ‘flatten the curve’ of religious bigotry, racial biases, and misinformation by adhering to a system of accountability.