The Clock Boy: An Analysis of How News Outlets Used Sources to Conceal Bias in News Coverage of Ahmed Mohamed, a Muslim Teen Arrested for Bringing a Self-made Clock to School

Abstract

ABSTRACT Profiling of Arabs and Muslim Americans as terrorists has led to exaggerated and fearful responses to ordinary incidents. I examine how sources shaped news coverage of Ahmed Mohamed, a teen, who was arrested for bringing a self-assembled clock to school. I analyse coverage of the incident in six media outlets: MSNBC and Washington Post used sources that highlighted racial discrimination; Fox News and Wall Street Journal used sources to cast suspicion on Ahmed’s technical abilities and family honour; and CNN and USA Today used sources to focus on the incident rather than address the problem. I conclude that the terror frame needs to be updated so that innocent citizens are not harmed by an irrational fear of Muslims.