Visual Jihad: Constructing the “Good Muslim” in Online Jihadist Magazines

Abstract

Images are known to have important effects on human perception and persuasion. Jihadist groups are also known to make strategic use of emotive imagery and symbolism for persuasive ends. Yet until recently studies of the online magazines published by violent jihadist groups largely focused on their textual, not their image, content and, whilst the image content of these magazines is now the subject of a burgeoning number of studies, few of these compare the images used by different groups. This article accordingly offers a cross-group comparison, examining the image content of a total of 39 issues of five online magazines published by four different jihadist groups. Starting with a content analysis, it shows that the images' most common focus is non-leader jihadis. Using a news values analysis, it then shows how these images of non-leader jihadis are used to visually construct the identity of a 'good Muslim'. This construct is characterised by three traits, each corresponding to a different news value: fulfilled (personalisation); active (consonance); and, respected (prominence). Moreover, these traits are intertwined: fulfilment comes from responding actively to the call to violent jihad, which in turn promises respect. The article concludes by highlighting some subtle differences between how the news values of personalisation, consonance and prominence are realised in the different magazines, and by discussing the implications of the 'good Muslim' construct for efforts to develop counter-messages.

The Fragility-Grievances-Conflict Triangle in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

“…In addition, said approach establishes the consensus that this rhetoric appeals to; this is done by outlining the analogous relationship between this rhetoric and the historical-theological environment in which the former operates. This work comes to complement other textual analysis literature (see Corman and Schiefelbein 2006;Lorenzo-Dus and Macdonald 2018;Macdonald and Lorenzo-Dus 2021), and terrorist identity literature (see Rothenberger and Kotarac 2014;Rothenberger et al 2018;Talbot 2008).…”

Fragmentation and Grievances as Fuel for Violent Extremism: The Case of Abu Musa’ab Al-Zarqawi

“…In addition, said approach establishes the consensus that this rhetoric appeals to; this is done by outlining the analogous relationship between this rhetoric and the historical-theological environment in which the former operates. This work comes to complement other textual analysis literature (see Corman and Schiefelbein 2006;Lorenzo-Dus and Macdonald 2018;Macdonald and Lorenzo-Dus 2021), and terrorist identity literature (see Rothenberger and Kotarac 2014;Rothenberger et al 2018;Talbot 2008).…”

A Qualitative Study on Violent Extremists and News Media: How Malaysian Online News Framed Violent Extremist Groups Involved in the Syrian Civil War

“…For instance, they may use the articles containing Muslims' sufferings to inform that Muslims must help their fellow believers. This tactic has been recorded in past literature examining IS magazine content (Macdonald & Lorenzo-Dus, 2018). Thus, focus on frames should not only be given to content about extremist groups soley but any other elements that could justify their existence.…”