A major new study of the U.K. media has found widespread bias in how Muslims and Islam are portrayed in the news. According to the study, nearly half of all articles published about Muslims or Islam contained some form of bias. The findings appear in a new report by the Center for Media Monitoring.
The report analyzed 40,913 articles published in 2025 by 30 of the U.K.’s largest news organizations, making it the largest study to date examining media coverage of Muslims in Britain. Researchers concluded that Muslims are frequently portrayed in negative ways in the news and are often linked to themes such as controversy, threat, or conflict.
According to the report, about 70 percent of all articles associated Muslims or Islam with negative behaviors, attitudes, or topics.
The report also says these portrayals have implications beyond the news cycle. Previous research has found a link between negative depictions of Muslims in the media, rising levels of anti-Muslim hate crimes, and increased public support for restrictive policies.
Rizwana Hamid, director of the Center for Media Monitoring, said, “As the largest study of its kind ever conducted in the UK, this report presents deeply concerning evidence of structural bias in how Muslims are portrayed in the UK press.”
“When nearly half of all articles referencing Muslims or Islam are biased, and almost 70% associate Muslims with negative aspects or behaviours, it points to a systemic problem within our media ecosystem. When entire communities are repeatedly framed through lenses of suspicion or threat, it inevitably shapes public attitudes, political debate, and the everyday lives of British Muslims,” she said.
Journalist and author Peter Oborne said the findings confirm concerns that have been raised for some time.
“Not all the findings in this report are unexpected. Who would have guessed that the Spectator is the most Islamophobic media outlet in Britain? But this authoritative and fair-minded study is a sobering and scrupulous reminder of the prejudice British Muslims have to endure. And it’s getting worse. Much worse.”
You can read the Center for Media Monitoring’s full research report here:
STATE OF BRITISH MEDIA 2025: REPORTING ON MUSLIMS AND ISLAM
