This research aims to examine the representation of Islam in western media through a critical discourse analysis (CDA) to contribute to the understanding of the relationship between language and ideology, the forms it takes and its potential effects. This study explores how western printed media represent Muslims and Islam in their news stories and examines the extent to which negative images of Islam and Muslims are reproduced in the pages of the Independent, the New York Times, the Herald Tribune, and The Times from January 1, 2007 to September 30, 2008.