Reflections on 9/11: Australian Muslim and Non-Muslim Responses 10 Years On

Abstract

Previous research on the 9th and 10th anniversary coverage of 9/11 has found that sections of the Australian news media have focused less on blame and those responsible for the attacks and focused more on the victims and reconciliation. If the media has "moved on" from 9/11, have audiences followed? In order to answer this question, we conducted a series of focus groups with Muslims and non-Muslims. Our specific research questions concerned our participants' initial reactions to the media coverage of 9/11; whether they perceive a change in this coverage 10 years on; and how the coverage of 9/11 has impacted on their understandings, attitudes and opinions toward Islam and Muslims. Our findings show that while Muslims and non-Muslims have different readings of the media coverage, there are important points of convergence in respect to the process of reconciliation and mutual acceptance.