Representation Of Muslim Identity In Digital Media: A Literature Review From The Perspective Of Cultural Studies And Islamic Broadcasting Communication

Abstract

The exponential growth of the digital media ecosystem has opened up a new arena of representation for Muslim identity that has never existed before. Unlike conventional mass media, which often represents Islam from an external perspective through various stereotypes and simplifications, digital media enables Muslims to actively represent themselves across a wide range of platforms, from blogs, YouTube channels, and Instagram accounts to podcasts and TikTok content with religious dimensions. This dynamic of self-representation generates a complex negotiation of identity between normative Islamic values, the structural demands of digital platforms, audience expectations, and the influence of global popular culture. This study aims to systematically examine how Muslim identity is represented in digital media through the framework of cultural studies and Islamic broadcasting communication. The method used is a systematic literature review of various scientific sources, including books and reputable journal articles published within the last five years. The findings of the study identify three dominant patterns of representation: first, the representation of Muslim identity through the performativity of digital piety; second, the negotiation of identity between Islamic values and popular culture in Muslim content creators; and third, the construction of hybrid and diasporic Muslim identities within the global digital space. These findings affirm that the representation of Muslim identity in digital media is not a static process, but rather a dynamic negotiation between Islamic authenticity and the evolving demands of the digital media ecosystem.