#j250

by: Nick Sicam

In 2010, the Ground Zero Mosque controversy became a conflict for many Americans especially those in New York . A Muslim community center was planned to be built near Ground Zero where thousands of civilians died during the attack. Once the news hit the media, the headlines and leads for the story included inaccurate material naming the community center, Ground Zero Mosque which in fact was not planned to be located at site of Ground Zero, but nearby.  

Source: http://fair.org/extra-online-articles/the-medias-construction-of-the-ground-zero-mosque/

Theme: In the photo above shows the news headlines for the controversy as it states " Outrage Continues to Grow Over Ground Zero Mosque in NYC". This instantly lets the viewers know that a Muslim practice will in fact take over and be built where thousands have died from 9/11. News headlines on broadcast television, newspapers, magazines, comics and on the web blasted these type of headlines and title for the "Ground Zero Mosque". What the media did not inform you was that the mosque was not directly at the ground zero location, but a couple blocks away from it.The "hypodermic effect" theory places their own political and social action in the hands of the viewers. Their stories and news allow viewers to be drugged in what they hear rather than researching on their on the real facts. The producer function of these news media outlets make the viewers acknowledge their message and become a participant  to the control of mass media. 

Source: http://wolfhowling.blogspot.com/2010_08_01_archive.html

Conflict: In the comic above shares a cartoon of what it seems to be two victims from 9/11 falling from the World Trade Center with captions saying " see? right over there...oh yea that would be a great spot for a mosque..". Instantly, you can tell as a viewer that the tone of the comic is obviously sarcastic. The illustration of the cartoon's message wants to persuade viewers to believe that building a mosque is a horrible and stupid idea. They use of a sarcastic tones portrays the idea of building a mosque at Ground Zero extremely idiotic to even mention. This juxtaposition type comic can allow the viewers to call for action to fight again establishing the mosque near the site. Many of those opposed to the idea in fact rioted near Ground Zero to make a point to politicians of New York and the Muslim Community.

Source: http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2010/08/voices_is_building_the_mosque.html

Theme: In the photo above, two supporters of the Muslim community center are holding signs that say, "support freedom of religion" and "love thy neighbor". As the supporters seem to be fighting for their opinion to be heard by others , the image being taken is a visual semantic of a resolution being made that symbolizes peace and unity. The constitution states that as American citizens we have the right for freedom of religion. Although building a Muslim community center near Ground Zero may be perceived as insensitive, it also is a common right for the Islam community to practice their beliefs at any desirable location. The image visualizes a peace treaty between America and the freedom to practice religion.