Media representation

The media is often accused of being responsible for prevalent stereotypes found in contemporary society. Perhaps the best-known accusation of this kind is that media outlets are responsible for depicting mainstream religion as non-progressive, and new, alternative religion or spirituality as faintly ridiculous. 


It is true that this is a perspective modern Western media often adopts. However, it is possible that this is due in part to certain stereotypes - or guidelines, or limitations - to which the media itself must conform. When considered, it is obvious that there are certain formulas that certain types of media do have to respect, and it is possible that these have an impact on how religion and spirituality are portrayed.
The Canadian television program Little Mosque on the Prairie is an example of this. Little Mosque is a comedy aimed at illustrating how Islam and non-Islamic societies can integrate, and as such, has a different focus on the issue than media such as journalism would have. It portrays a small Muslim community working to thrive in the fictional Canadian town of Mercy. The mosque of the title exists inside a Christian parish.
In spite of the unusual and conciliatory approach this example takes, it is still possible to observe conventions at work. As a comedy, the program has an obligation to pursue plot lines that give rise to opportunities for humour, and to represent the emotions and sensibilities of the characters with a view to the humourous, rather than the realistic. Issues that arise during an episode must be resolved, one way or another, by the end of that episode. These things may hinder the ability of the program to achieve its goal. It may not end up as a very realistic, or relatable, depiction of Muslim life in non-Muslim society.

Reference
Cañas S. 2008. The Little Mosque on the Prairie: Examining (Multi) Cultural Spaces of Nation and Religion. Cultural Dynamics, 20: 195-211