Law and religion alumna writes on the media, xenophobia, and a post 9/11 United States

Roslyn M. Satchel (JD/MDiv ’01) recently co-authored an article entitled, “Religion, Race, and the Fourth Estate: Xenophobia in the Media Ten Years after 9/11” published in the Spring 2012 issue of The Tennessee Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice. A mass communication PhD candidate at Louisiana State University, Satchel examines the role of the media, often referred to as the “Fourth Branch of Government,” in fueling stereotypes and capitalizing on fear, as a way to increase ratings and revenue. She argues that “media elites, most of which are large corporations, threaten American democracy with xenophobic influence in an age of unmediated communication.” Given the ongoing controversies stemming from the 2010 Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case, the article provides a provocative look into the role media elites play in advancing xenophobia, an especially meaningful contribution given the realities present in a post 9/11 United States. To read the article, click here.