Islam in the BBC Program Compass

BBC television has managed to attract a large satellite TV audience by relying on its financial backing and advanced equipment. Some remarkable number of its programs is dedicated to Islamic issues which trigger Islamophobia and Iranophobia. Using framework method, this study has concentrated on the program Compass which can shed light on the broadcaster's manner of representing Islam. The sampling consists of 15 programs dealing with Islam selected in a non-probable and targeted manner. To achieve the research objectives, a theoretical framework has been adopted that consists of orientalism, framework-making, representation, highlighting, Islamophobia, and Iranophobia. The results show that the BBC has differentiated between Islam and political Islam, and has represented the latter as linked to violence so that in case of its gaining power, it will become dictatorial. Therefore, the Islamic Republic of Iran and its revolution have been given a gloomy and distorted picture. Mahdaviat (Expecting the Savior) is considered to be an apolitical theory which has been the offspring of some Islamic scholars and not rooted in Islamic doctrine. The future of religious institution of jurisprudential authority has been questioned and women's rights have been considered on the basis of western criteria. Furthermore, in the light of Islamophobia, the Islamic Republic of Iran has been under extensive charges and attacks.