Despite the atheism phenomenon or denial of the existence of God not being new in Arab Islamic history, many atheist groups and movements emerged throughout various periods of Islamic history, including notable philosophers like Abu Bakr Al-Razi, Al-Farabi, and Ibn Rushd (Marwa. 2008). The growth of the atheism phenomenon in the Arab world between 2000-2024 is largely linked to the rise of modern media, particularly digital media and television channels. These platforms have allowed new atheists and younger generations to express their views and reveal their atheism, a matter that Arab audiences are not accustomed to (Sebastian. 2021). Given the increasing attention to Islam by New Atheists through their books and media, alongside the easy access the public now has to such content on the internet, it is not surprising that atheistic beliefs are on the rise in Muslim countries. These beliefs are being promoted, sometimes covertly, if not openly (Shoaib, 2019).
This study aims to build a clearer vision of atheism in the Arab-Islamic world by analyzing media portrayals of atheism and atheists in television talk shows across Arabic-speaking channels. The study explores how the mass media represents atheism, the image atheists create of themselves, and the strategies they employ to prove their existence and survival. This research also considers the concepts, expressions, and images used by opposing viewpoints. The study uses a qualitative, descriptive social studies approach to analyze the speech of Arab television channels focused on atheism and debates with atheists. Results show that while television programs are tied to official campaigns against atheism, there is evidence of polarization in the editorial policies of these channels. This polarization reflects the contradictions of the official political speech in Arab countries, particularly the tension between religious calls to confront new atheism and efforts to address religious extremism.