APPLICABILITY OF SHARIA IN MODERN TIMES: NEWS MEDIA’S ROLE IN NARRATIVE BUILDING

Abstract

This study offers a comprehensive analysis of the portrayal of Sharia law in four prominent global news platforms—The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, and The Guardian. The analysis spans five years from March 2019 to March 2023. Through meticulous discourse analysis, this study uncovers a pattern of negative framing and biased representation that shapes public perception of Sharia law's applicability in modern times. The findings reveal that news media consistently employs sensationalism and selective focus to amplify controversial aspects of Sharia law and thus oversimplifies a complex legal and ethical framework, hindering an accurate understanding of Sharia law's applicability in the modern world. Moreover, the media's role in amplifying biases can have significant effects on public perception and social dynamics, ultimately affecting how both Muslims and non-Muslims perceive the legal system. It is imperative for news platforms to adopt a less balanced and naive approach when discussing the law, one that acknowledges its diversity of interpretations, cultural variations, and ongoing dialogues about its relevance in the contemporary world.