Islamophobia has existed around the world for an extensive time as well as within Italy; however, it has become increasingly prevalent since the September 11 Attacks. The new global hegemony structure of the 21st century has allowed for the expansion of anti-Islamic discourse, with "Muslim populations finding themselves increasingly encoded as the new 'evil other'".[9] One of the main contributing forces to the increase in Islamophobia is the media, through the multiple platforms that present powerful channels for information and ultimately opinions to spread and cultivate in society.[3] The media "bear a heavy responsibility in their representation of minority groups."[3] Due to the reaction that prevailed following the September 11 attacks, a significant shift was seen, with prejudices towards Islam becoming more common. In a world of free media, where freedom of speech is a defining factor, the circulation of misinformed and prejudiced[5] information is inevitable.