The Culture of Caution - by Nur Kareelawati Abd Karim (Paperback)

About the Book

An ethnographic exploration of Islamic television talk show production, revealing behind-the-scenes challenges and strategies shaped by a culture of caution.

Book Synopsis

This book explores the 'culture of caution' within Islamic television talk show production, with a primary focus on the Islam Channel in the United Kingdom. Drawing on ethnographic research and personal reflections, it unpacks the socio-political, emotional and creative challenges Muslim media producers face in crafting religious and cultural content for diverse audiences. The book highlights how faith-based media operates under constraints shaped by Islamophobia, public scrutiny and regulatory boundaries, while striving for authentic representation.
By analysing content creation, labour dynamics and gendered experiences, this monograph fills a gap in the literature by offering a behind-the-scenes perspective into religious broadcasting rarely documented in academic work. It investigates the pressures of self-censorship, emotional regulation, and the balancing act between tradition and modernity.
Written for academics, media professionals and cultural policy stakeholders, this book sheds light on how Islamic media navigates production in the West, while affirming the value of resilience, faith and critical media practice in shaping public narratives about Muslims.

About the Author

Dr. Nur Kareelawati Abd Karim is an Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).