From the margins to the mainstream (RaMi)

The RaMi project examined whether, and in what ways, the rise of right-wing populism has changed public discourse on Islam in recent decades. It explored whether right-wing populist and extremist interpretations of Islam are becoming mainstreamed and thus increasingly normalised, and what factors – such as media dynamics – contribute to these developments.

Using a mixed-methods approach, the research team analysed extensive media data, carried out historical context analyses, and conducted qualitative interviews. Their media analysis focused on the evolution of reporting and discourse in Germany, France, and the UK between 2000 and 2020.

The findings show that since 9/11, national daily newspapers have increasingly placed Islam and Muslims on the media agenda. Religiously motivated terrorist attacks, in particular, triggered intense media coverage in subsequent years, attracting above-average attention to violent and radical actors. Media reporting follows the systemic logic of prioritising topics with high news value and emotional impact. As a result, isolated incidents have come to define broader discourse and reinforce associations between Islam, violence, and terrorism.

Interestingly, right-wing populist actors played little to no role in the coverage and debates surrounding terrorist attacks in major national newspapers. However, their presence and influence on social media platforms proved to be significant.

Using historical context analysis, the RaMi team examined how right-wing populist discourses link “the" Islam with national identity and migration. What is particularly striking is that right-wing populist and far-right actors in Europe have been increasingly focusing on the topics of Islam and Islamism since the 2000s. They are propagating a new enemy image and advancing an anti-migration agenda.

The qualitative surveys support the finding that the effects of such media narratives and the extent of their dissemination are far from merely symbolic. Media narratives have a direct impact on policy areas such as security, migration and foreign policy in particular. The same applies to the democratic participation and social inclusion of Muslims. 

The so-called societal mainstream acts and responds in highly varied ways. Reactions to far-right and right-wing populist actors range from clear rejection to tacit approval, adaptation, or even outright justification. Such justification creates new opportunities for the spread of anti-Muslim and anti-migration narratives, with the boundaries between political groups and viewpoints becoming increasingly blurred – thus paving the way for the normalisation of right-wing positions.

Recommendations

1. The dynamics of right-wing normalisation and de-normalisation within the mainstream should receive greater attention from researchers, prevention practitioners, and democratic political parties.
2. Independent democratic media must be strengthened to counter misinformation and to develop effective communication strategies in response.
3. To challenge distorted perceptions of Islam as an inherently radical religion, there is a need for expanded political education – both within and outside of schools.
4. Individuals affected by racism should be empowered to participate more actively in society and politics – for example, through funding programmes that promote democracy and diversity and counter extremism.