European Identity and the Representation of Islam in the Mainstream Press

351 Pages·2019·2.91 MB·English

by  Salomi Boukala

Salomi Boukala
European Identity and
the Representation of Islam
in the Mainstream Press
Argumentation and Media Discourse
European Identity and the Representation
of Islam in the Mainstream Press
“This excellent book presents a critical examination of how British, French and
Greek media outlets report, and discursively work up, a notion of European
identity that stands in opposition to (and in conflict with) Muslim identity.
Bringing Gramsci into dialogue with argumentation theory is original and
allows Salomi Boukala to offer substantial insight into the wide range of data
analysed. Highly recommended reading, for anyone interested in the politics of
identity, migration and the mass media.”
—John E Richardson, Reader in Critical Discourse Studies,
Loughborough University, UK
“European Identity and the Representation of Islam in the Mainstream Press:
Argumentation and Media Discourse provides an excellent and comprehensive
comparative analysis of the representation of the ‘Islamist threat’ in the Greek,
British and French Press within the broader framework of the Discourse
Historical Approach and its argumentation strategies. Drawing on a rich set
of examples, Salomi Boukala offers an interdisciplinary perspective in under-
standing how mainstream media contribute to the discursive construction of
the supranational European identity and creates an innovative new space for
the on-going discussion regarding the European ‘Self’ and the ‘Other’. This
timely study is a must-read for scholars and students interested in the analysis
of media discourse, especially those who opt for interdisciplinary approaches to
the analysis of complex social and political phenomena.”
—Maria Sifianou, Professor Emerita, National and Kapodistrian
University of Athens, Greece
“Dr. Boukala’ s book presents a fresh, interdisciplinary and insightful under-
standing of the ways immigration and Islam(ism) are interwoven in the con-
temporary social psyche of European identity discourses as represented in
mass media in different European geopolitics. It brilliantly synergises an in
depth conceptualisation of Gramsci’s thoughts with an Aristotelian theo-
retical encapsulations around argumentation, topoi and persuasion within
a specific approach in Critical Discourse Studies. The book reveals how
political discourses around ISIS and Turkey’s accession to EU are routinely
appropriated to forge an overall-arching European collective identity in
Greece, UK and France. Boukala’s expertise in navigating through several the-
oretical fronts while delivering extensive first-hand data analyses is refreshing
and commendable.”
—Majid KhosraviNik, Senior Lecturer in Digital Media &
Discourse Studies, Newcastle University, UK
Salomi Boukala
European
Identity and the
Representation
of Islam in the
Mainstream Press
Argumentation and Media Discourse
Salomi Boukala
Panteion University of Social
and Political Sciences
Athens, Greece
ISBN 978-3-319-93313-9 ISBN 978-3-319-93314-6 (eBook)
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93314-6
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018943633
© The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2019
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To my family
Acknowledgements
Fighting against words and emotions on the terrain of this white page,
I still cannot find the ideal way to express my gratitude to all those peo-
ple who accompanied me on the journey of writing this book. Hence,
I solicit their indulgence for the next ‘typical’ sentences.
In the process of writing this book I have relied on different people
and institutions. Above all, I am personally grateful to Ruth Wodak,
who offered me her kindness and scientific expertise. She taught me
ethos, pathos and logos; and she has helped me develop my way of
thinking as ‘discourse analyst’.
I am indebted to many colleagues who turned the Department of
Social Anthropology at Panteion University into an intellectual home
to me. In particular, I would like to thank Athena Athanasiou, who pro-
vided support, inspiration and advice throughout the writing process.
Niki Maroniti, who offered her knowledge on history of modern Greece
and nationalism; and Eirini Toundasaki, who encouraged me during the
tough writing process; and she has been a great mentor to me. I would
also like to acknowledge the contribution of Dimitra Gefou-Madianou,
who as my teacher first aroused my interest in discourse and social
anthropology. My sincere thanks go also to my students at Panteion
vii
viii Acknowledgements
University, who helped me to ameliorate my academic skills and my
modules on Anthropology and Discourse Studies. I am very grateful for
their feedback and support. Thanks are also due to Palgrave team for
providing the editorial support I needed to publish this book.
I owe thanks to colleagues and reviewers who commented upon
draft versions of this book and contributed to the development of my
work at various stages of my research. John Richardson, Aristotle Kallis,
Majid KhosraviNik, Bernhard Forchtner, Anna Triandafyllidou pro-
vided helpful comments and suggestions and helped me organize my
research. I would also like to thank my friends for their comprehension
and patience during the writing process—chiefly Elizabeth Phocas, dep-
uty director at ELIAMEP, who has engaged with my ideas, offered me
her friendship and commented upon my work over the last two years.
Finally, my academic journey would have never started without the
permanent support and encouragement of my family. Foteini Stefou,
Christos Boukalas, Pantelis Boukalas, Sasa Karkagianni and Katerina
Boukala were always there for me, helping me to fulfil all those intellec-
tual plans that my father, Panos Boukalas had inspired me. This book is
dedicated to them with thanks.
Contents
1 Introduction: Kafka in ‘Fortress Europe’—The ‘Other’
Within the Walls 1
2 The Construction of European Identity: From Nation
State to the European Union 19
3 Mass Media and Hegemonic Knowledge: Gramsci and
the Representation of the ‘Other’ 55
4 (Re)Introducing the Aristotelian Topos/Topoi in the
Discourse Historical Approach: Key
Methodological Concepts 85
5 Greek Media Discourse About the ‘Islamist Threat’:
From ‘Islamist Terrorism’ to ‘ISIS Terror’ 127
6 British Media Discourse About the ‘Islamist Threat’ 175
7 French Media Discourse About the ‘Islamist Threat’ 219
ix
x Contents
8 Greek Media Discourse About Turkey’s Accession to
the European Union 257
9 British and French Media Discourse About Turkey’s
Accession to the European Union 291
10 Conclusion: The ‘Other’ in a Kafkasque Europe 315
Bibliography 327
Index 343