April 25, the University of Denver hosted “Understanding Islamic State (ISIS): Media and Communication Perspectives”, featuring guest lecturer Nabil Echchaibi, Ph.D., University of Colorado Boulder. Deconstructing the brutality of ISIS media, Dr. Echchaibi gave reason for the group’s growing power and influence, all while questioning the lack of attention given to the matters in the Western world.

According to Dr. Echchaibi, ISIS’ media outlets, following propaganda-like tactics, lead to their power and high level of recruitment. More than the strength of their numbers, ISIS has managed to form an emotionally tied group, striving to create a new caliphate. Despite the rapid growth and terrorist attacks, Westerners remain predominately oblivious, and instead focus on issues regarding their own race and sphere of the world, said Echchaibi.

“The problem is not whether or not we should feel sad that Notre Dame is on fire, but that it produces a hierarchy of who is worthy of our pity and who can pity and who cannot,” said Echchaibi.

The Western world was ravaged by the Notre Dame tragedy and gave the event an overwhelming amount of media attention. The April 15 fire that did not leave the church in complete ruin raised a staggering $1.5 billion over the course of one week.

Meanwhile, no one in the West seemed to be conscious of any one of the 63 Gazan mosques destroyed and attacked over the past two years, he said. One is left to wonder why Western media did not provide, and is not offering, any coverage to the devastating mosque losses, posed Echchaibi. 

Mulling over the phenomenon that is ISIS, the professor pointed to the racist ignorance citizens from Western countries often hold. Media produced by or covering foreigners is often overlooked, said Echchaibi.

Though numerous places of worship have been and are being destroyed and attacked in the Middle East, coverage in the U.S. is scarce, if it even exists at all. The attacks wreak havoc on the lives of thousands, both in and outside of the Middle East. Regardless of being home to many with Palestinian roots and connections, few in the U.S. media stop to consider such devastating events beyond the borders. 

Further engaging his audience, with a warning, Echchaibi showed graphic and unsettling images used in ISIS news outlets. The vile imageries, both shown and described, pushed attendees of the event to uncomfortably understand the group’s extremism. The images and descriptions, nearly unbearable for the audience, forced an understanding.

While news outlets in the U.S. and other Western countries foster conversation, ISIS instead shows brutality to elicit fear and prompt action from readers. Following this radical strategy, ISIS gains strength and and is able to carry out more attacks. 

Unlike news in the U.S., according to Echchaibi, the media produced by ISIS substantially surrounds imagery. With violent and vivid content, ISIS engages their audience members in a way that transcends connection through stories. Their news viscerally impacts the life of the reader. The media leads to volunteerism, support and a growing allegiance to the Islamic State. 

Though we have the vastness of the Internet at our fingertips with extensive media and information regarding ISIS’ brutal involvements, Westerners still lack knowledge, according to Echchaibi.

“Why is it that with an abundance of information are we unable to understand?” asked Echchaibi.

In the West, attention is not given to ISIS attacks, pity is granted to those of the same race and conversations are not being had. But, just talking about representation is not enough, said the professor. The Western media must rewrite its’ agenda to follow stories currently being left untold.

Reflecting on the silence of Western regarding the terrorism, Dr. Echchaibi said “that deafness, to me, is loud.”