Government policies on Islam in France and the role of the media in Islamophobia

In our study, in which we examine France's Islam policies in the historical process and the role of the media in the formation of Islamophobia, France's policies towards Muslims are discussed in a historical perspective. How Islamophobia has turned into a state policy in public and social life has been analysed; in this context, the role of the media, laws and regulations enacted have been examined chronologically. While analysing the events that triggered Islamophobia in France and the approach of politicians to these events, the illtreatment and inequalities that Muslims are exposed to in social life are revealed. In the first part, the historical development of France's relations with Muslims, migration as a result of the labour shortage and the increase in the Muslim population in France are discussed, while in the second part, the emergence of the concept of secularism in France and all the factors of Islam policies afterwards are examined. The changing structure of anti-Muslim sentiment from past to present, the perception of Islam, terrorism and the Separatism Law enacted in 2021 are discussed. In the third part, it is tried to reveal the impact of the French media on Islamophobia and how it manipulates the image of Islam.