Study finds widespread anti-Muslim bias in British media coverage
The report analyzed 40,913 articles published in 2025 across 30 major U.K. outlets and found that about 20,000 articles — nearly 50% — contained at least two indicators of anti-Muslim bias. Around 70% of the articles linked Muslims or Islam to negative themes or behaviors.
The study said Muslims are frequently portrayed through narratives of conflict, threat or controversy. Right-leaning outlets showed the highest levels of bias, including The Spectator, GB News, The Telegraph, The Jewish Chronicle, Daily Express, The Sun, Daily Mail and The Times.
According to the report, The Spectator had the highest proportion of severely biased articles, while The Telegraph and Daily Mail published the largest number of highly biased stories overall.
Sweeping generalizations about Muslims were most common in coverage by GB News (39%) and The Telegraph (32%). In comparison, outlets considered more centrist or left-leaning showed lower rates, with the BBC at 6% and The Guardian at 11%.
CfMM director Rizwana Hamid said the findings indicate structural bias in the U.K. press and warned that persistent negative framing could shape public attitudes and political debate. Journalist and author Peter Oborne said the results confirm long-standing concerns about prejudice in British media.
Researchers assessed articles using five indicators of bias, including negative associations, generalizations, distortion, lack of context and sensational headlines. Articles containing two or more indicators were classified as biased.
