I'm dying to hear back on this very topic from journalists themselves; specifically, those from major media outlets.  I'm dying to have it explained to me.  I'm actually seeking an education ... a "schooling" of sorts.  And I'd love to have it from the likes of the NY Times, Chicago Tribune, Fox, CNN, etc.  I'm just a blogger, but I represent more than one demographic, I assure you.

Let me get to the inquiry itself.

When something happens, and the suspect happens to be a Muslim or in any way related to Islam, the name of the person is delivered as a trio —His first, middle and last name.  And while that may be normal (is it?), I find it very curious that his religion is mentioned.  If not that, then his occupation as it relates to Islam definitely is.

Let me explain.  I don't know much about the recent news that took place in Detroit where the FBI exchanged fire with a person that resulted in that person's death, but I do know this:  The raid, the shoot out, all of it were not terrorism related.  Despite that, and despite the fact that law enforcement was quick to say this was a criminal act, the media made sure to state that the man's job is an Imam of a Mosque, and then focus on the man's words rather than the charges.  I have no feelings about this case, this person, or anything related to the topic beyond the natural human condolence that goes out to a family with a loss.  What bothers me, however, is the feeling that if this was not a Muslim the media would not have listed the religion at all ... especially in a criminal charge.

In other words, you don't hear the religion of a John Smith in other raids, shootouts, etc.  Does anyone else find this odd?  I know the Muslims aren't reacting worth-a-lick, but I'm curious about non-Muslims.  Do you, as a non-Muslim, see or feel that there's this heavy underlining by the media when it comes to Islam & Muslims?  Anyone?

Let's take recent events into account.   A soldier in Fort Hood, Texas (an army base) kills 13 and injures more than 30.  The news is horrible.  And if you've ever been in any armed services, especially here in the country, you'll know that this is more than news.  It's a betrayal.  It's like family killing family.  But let's look at the point I was trying to make.  The soldier suspected of the shooting is a Major, who was born and raised here in the States.  Went to High School in Virginia and graduated Virginia Tech.    Look at the news and see how all 3 of his names (first, middle and last) are mentioned.  Look at how his religion is in the spotlight ... guess what religion that is again?  Don't be so naive to think that Muslims are the only ones involved in these types of crimes. 

So again, back to the Journalists ... is this ethical?  Am I seeing things?  Isn't the media hyper-focused on Islam & Muslims to the point of bigotry among many other things?  Here's a quick Google search on "US soldier kills."  A soldier snapping and killing his fellow soldiers has happened before.  But read the news links.  The religion of the soldier who committed the heinous act is never mentioned ... unless it was a Islam.

Where are those codes of ethics that the Journalists and the media have to abide by?  Forget inciting bigotry, racism and at the very least hatred; at minimum, this combination of hyper-focus and association on Islam, its followers and all things negative cannot be objective.  I'm reading these lines from Wikipedia, which is echoes elsewhere online:

While various existing codes have some differences, most share common elements including the principles of — truthfulness, accuracy, objectivity, impartiality, fairness and public accountability — as these apply to the acquisition of newsworthy information and its subsequent dissemination to the public.

Objectivity?  Impartiality?  This is quickly becoming a catch-22 situation.  One that's not likely to end well without a doubt.  Tell me, what happens when you corner an animal, like a cat?  It starts to retaliate; right?  And if they do, then they're labeled, singled out, etc.  Which puts them back in that corner; and here we go all over again.

Muslims are, I believe, a fifth of the World population.  One in five things that happen will involve a Muslim.  And Muslims, like all others, have bad apples too.  These bad apples are not the religious leaders of Islam, like for example, Catholic Priests (yet, we don't criticize all Catholics judging them by their leaders and their acts ... against children, do we?).  Oversimplified, they are just bad apples.  If we are going to mention one's religion, then it ought to happen for everyone.  That way, when we tally it up, we could easily see who is more deserving of the labels.

Why can't the media just report the news objectively?  Has it become so money hungry that it lost its focus?  Are the ratings, the promotions, the awards, the recognition, etc. all that matter?  What about the skewed public image?  What about the perception that you're instilling in people's minds & hearts?  What about your own personal ethics as a Journalist?

Is there a war against Islam & Muslims?  If there is, then let's come out and say it.  Let's acknowledge it and make it known.  That way, it's in the open allowing Islam & Muslims to at least fight back and defend themselves.  Again, don't be so naive & closed-minded to think that Islam and Muslims are the ones that started a war.  One-fifth of the World did not wage or start a war.  What you're seeing is nothing more than the greed and injustice of the few expressed by the frustrations of the general public.  Take that frustrated segment and pick the bad apples and you'll have what the media feeds off of.


Update:  Just read this and liked it enough to share it.
Start with shock and awe. Then, as information starts to get out, report that the suspected shooter has an Arabic name. Confirm that he was, in fact, a Muslim. Once that has settled in, add to the story about motive the possibility of jihad and the references to 9/11. Finally, within short order, fill out the picture with a story about American Muslims condemning the alleged act of their misguided brother.

It's almost played out to the T every single time.  Hmmmm.