Cultural Minority Perceptions of Their Representations in the Media During the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Case of the Ultra-Orthodox Community in Israel

The present research was designed to examine how a cultural minority perceived its representations in the media during the COVID-19 global pandemic. In the present study, we asked the following question: “How does the Ultra-Orthodox community perceive its representation in the media during the COVID-19 pandemic?” To seek the answer, we conducted sixty-four semi-structured interviews. The findings show that the interviewees believe that the mainstream media did not represent them properly but rather did so in a stereotypical and stigmatizing way. The members of the community think that the mainstream media portrays them in a negative way and gives three reasons. First, lack of understanding regarding the special sociological characteristics of their community. Second, the same old hatred that the secular media has always shown toward the Ultra-Orthodox community. Finally, the secular media collaborate with the left-wing parties and the financial elite in Israel to attack Ultra-Orthodox parties and politicians.