Why do extremists always get the limelight?

Question

Why can't they put me, my family, my friends or even a person from our Islamic community on the media?

These "Muslims" on tv are barely that! They definately do NOT represent the average Muslim. I've NEVER EVER encountered an "Islamic radical" in all my years of being Muslim and attended Islamic events (which r usually open to non-Muslims too!) So why then does the media continue to let evil triumph over good? Why do they spread lies and propganda to ppl that can barely think for themselves about something they know little about?

Isn't it unfair that as an "informer" they are instead instigators?

Answer 1

Because like it or not, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

The people who are in charge of aiming the limelight are in it for money. Extremists sell newspapers and make the evening news.

You and your family are probably nice, good, hard-working, loving people who have no interest in hurting others. That equals BORING to the press.

They want to keep readers. Readers want to be titillated and shocked and able to feel righteous and indignant about stuff. Your story of good triumphing over evil doesn't do that. Love is too blase for the media.

They aren't informers: they are entertainers, and if they have to instigate stuff to entertain, they'll do it.

They do the same with gay people and Christians too: normal non-flamboyant gay people never make the news; non-fundamentalist sane Christians never do either.

We're all too boring for the papers and TV to make a profit on us.

Answer 2

Which headline do you think sells more newspapers:

"Family of four attends mosque today, then returns home to bake cookies and walk dog"

"Suicide bomber strikes marketplace, killing at least 17"

So what can you do about that? You might not be able to do anything short of changing religions. Even if the percentage of Muslims doing the latter is very small, it's still enough to keep them in the news almost every day of the week, sometimes multiple times.

You might be tempted to say that Islam has nothing to do with those radicals, but then I would ask you why Islam has failed to prevent the emergence of radical elements, while others have succeeded. There are no Jainist suicide bombers or mass-murderers.

Christianity once was a mass-terrorist organization, but has now mellowed out for the most part to just another mythology-peddler. If you wait long enough, perhaps Islam will do the same.

Answer 3

"Empty vessels make the most noise."

I have no idea if you are lying or telling the truth, but you should realise that you are also spreading propaganda.

My 2 cents worth is that I have known around a dozen muslims in my life and aside from the abysmal way they look down on women (and this is ALL the muslims that I have known), they are just ordinary people who were as nice and reasonable as the next person.

Answer 4

Extremist come in more forms other than religious, the far left liberals have their extremist as well.
Just take a look at the main stream media coverage on Christianity. nothing good about Christianity comes from the main stream meadi especially since Ted Turner owns most of it.

Answer 5

Sadly, that seems to be what sells. But hey, limelight isn't all it's cracked up to be. Look at Michael Vick, Britney Spears, OJ Simpson, Robert Blake, etc. With everything they've done in their lives, what are they going to be remembered for? Their failures and controversy.

Answer 6

Because everyone wants to see the car crash at NASCAR. Violence and sex sells, and the news media is just as bad as Hollywood.

Also the fanatics jump in front of a camera and never seem to shut-up.

Answer 7

Trust me, this happens to every community- the pagans, the homosexuals, et cetera. The fact is that no one wants to hear about someone eating dinner with his family, they want to hear about the wacko who killed 400 or so people. What is shocking, what is interesting, what excites passion or outrage, sells. Plain and simple.

Answer 8

Radicals and extremists use the shock effect to get attention...unfortunately, they tend to become spokespeople for their cause as well, making the entire group look bad!

Answer 9

Extremists and radicals are the most interesting, they make the most noise, and therefore get the best Nielson ratings and sell the most papers.

Answer 10

Nobody who is a moderate ever makes the news
IN ANY CATEGORY
the craziest of any particular group is what is always displayed