Modern Media and Opinions on the Middle East(Section 2)

Television and video games play a large role in the lives of Americans while they are growing up and when they reach adulthood. Often times, terrorism becomes a major topic or storyline in these differing media choices. During their respective runs, shows like "24" and "NCIS" have often tackled the issue of terrorism in a very specific manner. In "24", the entire season often revolves around a team of special agents racing against the clock to stop a terrorist attack on a major American city. The terrorists are often from the Middle East and Muslim. While very rarely delving into the complexities of the religion and the region, the show tends to display the acts of terror these terrorists carry out with very little regard. Often times, there will be torture and brutality on the part of the terrorists. Innocent Americans will die until some can heroically save them from the aggressors. Shows like "NCIS" give a portrayal of terrorism that is also highly unrealistic. In that, a special team working for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service investigate crimes using wit, humor, and fringe science. In that, an almost cartoonish portrayal of the American Intelligence where things like torture and human rights violations either don't happen or always amount to good. In this, millions are exposed to unrealistic portrayals that don't do the reality justice. Instead, they distort what really happens overseas and at home, serving as a form of misinformation that can spread like wildfire.

On the other side of the modern media environment are video games. As anyone who has played a game knows, they are heavily immersive and engage players at a very detailed level. Often times, shooter games take players to wariness that are thousands of miles from their homes. In games such as "Call of Duty" or "Counter Strike," players can fight enemies in the Middle East. In "Counter Strike," players can fight against terrorist operators in Middle East setting with a goal of defusing bombs or eliminating all of the terrorist enemies. In "Call of Duty 4," players fight a dictator in an un-named Muslim country who eventually uses a nuclear weapon as a means of terrorism. In each of these games, great amounts of time are put into the product in an effort to make the game as visually appealing as possible. However, little time is invested into getting the culture right or framing things in a way that could educate players. Violence and chaos takes precedent as chances to capture something accurately falls to the wayside.

So, what does this all mean? Well, it means that we as a society are losing something important. A chance to better understand a culture and people that are often distant from us. Or, in some cases, the subject of political arguments and outright lies. Most people never travel to the Middle east and therefore only see what is shown to them in games and television shows. If those that produce these these things show war and destruction and terrorism, then people will believe that is what happens in a place they have no real knowledge about. In the end, this can lead to fear and hate. Things that lead to rifts among members of the population. Rifts between fellow human beings. This needs to be fixed. The good news is, it can be. Television producers can pay better attention to the stereotypes that exist in society and work to address them. Video game designers can add historically and culturally accurate portrayals to their content without taking the fun out of it. In the end, people are always open to learning more and seeing new things. If they are provided with the opportunity, they will gladly take a chance to clear up misconceptions and learn how to accept other. Below, is my interview with Anthony Minervini. In it, I discuss the very things that are present in this blog. In the clip, I got the chance to ask him how he feels about video games, television, and portrayals of the Middle East. I also got the chance to speak with him about where we can go from here and how others can be educated about the real Middle East. Not the dramatic portrayals seen on television.



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Written By: Nicholas Malaniak
Political Science Student, Rutgers University
201-294-3090, ndm58@scarletmail.rutgers.edu