MEDIA PROPAGANDA TO PORTRAY MISOGYNY AND GENDER INEQUALITY IN GULF

Abstract

Media across the globe has been portraying women in the Gulf as oppressed by the male counterparts and guided by the strict rule of Sharia (Islamic Law). The women are judged as open-minded or conservative depending upon how western their dress code, outside appearance are, and on how western their thoughts are, which isn't exceptionally sensible since numerous liberal Muslims hold their religious beliefs that fit their way of life and culture. The present study is based on the practice widely used by journalists to superimpose western ideology as an overlay. If a Muslim woman holds certain opinions that are not at par with the  Western culture, she is portrayed as backward, regardless of how profoundly emphatic, educated or independent she is; at the end of the day, women are not judged on how they fit inside their own cultures as they would fit in Western culture. Moreover, as much as most of the reports attempt to accomplish balance in the story to consent to editorial conventions of news creation, some journalists still end up focusing on one side; for the most part, it is the negative, stereotypical viewpoint that is accentuated. But generally, most of the coverage outlines the Muslim women as a victim, a sexual object, and furthermore as voiceless. This paper explores the portrayal of misogyny and gender inequality in the Gulf region by Western media. Through a critical analysis of key news articles, documentaries, and media narratives, it examines how the media in the West has framed the Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, as centers of gender discrimination. The research considers the role of cultural biases, geopolitical interests, and sensationalism in shaping these narratives, as well as the impact they have on global perceptions of the region. Additionally, it highlights the complexities and nuances within Gulf societies that are often overlooked by Western media outlets, offering a more balanced perspective of gender dynamics in the region.