The framing of Sikhs in Canadian media in the 1980s: The power of the media and the conflicts between religion in the public sphere and an assumed national identity

ABSTRACT

This article examines the presentation of Sikhs in Canadian media in the 1980s. It argues that Sikhs are mostly presented as threats to Canadian society and this media framing of Sikihs mostly follows Indian media frames of Sikhs as violent anti-state terrorists. Much of this media framing, however, does not discuss the actual circumstances in India, nor does it allow for the voices of Sikhs to be heard unless they are presented as violent.