Covering Egypt, Covering Islam: What the Media Get Wrong (and Occasionally Right)

Drawing on over thirty years' experience covering Middle Eastern and Islamic issues, mostly for the BBC, Roger Hardy argues that the media have all too often shown a chronic lack of understanding of Islam and Muslim societies – and by distorting or sensationalizing Muslim issues have made it harder to combat extremism and win the 'war of ideas.' As Arab and Muslim protesters take to the streets of Cairo and the Arab world, Hardy examines if coverage and understanding of the Muslim world has deepened or improved. Former Washington Times editor, Barbara Slavin, will respond to Hardy's argument, as well as comment on current media coverage of the Egypt protests.