Framing the Russia-Ukraine Crisis: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Ideological Strategies in British and Arab Online Newspapers
Falah Abdulhasan Atiyah
1
(
Department of English Language, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
)
Sahar Najarzadegan
2
(
Department of English Languages, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
)
3
(
Department of English, College of Basic of Education for Humanities. University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq hussein.musa@uokerbala.edu.iq
)
Mehdi Vaez Dalili
4
(
Department of English, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
)
Keywords: media framing, critical discourse analysis, ideological bias, Russia-Ukraine conflict, cross-cultural journalism,
Abstract :
This study investigates the representation of the Russia-Ukraine crisis in British and Arab online newspapers through a critical discourse analysis (CDA) framework based on Fairclough’s three-dimensional model. By analyzing news articles from The Guardian, The Sun, Arab News, and The Gulf News published between June 2022 and April 2023, the study examines linguistic strategies, ideological positioning, and sociopolitical influences shaping media narratives. The findings reveal distinct framing patterns: British newspapers, particularly The Sun, employ emotionally charged and polarized language reinforcing an anti-Russian stance, while The Guardian maintains a more balanced yet subtly pro-Western perspective. In contrast, Arab newspapers, especially The Gulf News, present a nuanced and analytical discourse, often contextualizing the conflict within broader geopolitical and economic frameworks. These variations highlight the role of media in constructing public perceptions and emphasize the interplay between regional political interests and journalistic practices. The study contributes to discourse analysis and media studies by offering cross-regional insights into the ideological framing of global conflicts, underscoring the need for critical engagement with news narratives.
These variations highlight the role of media in constructing public perceptions and emphasize the interplay between regional political interests and journalistic practices. The study contributes to discourse analysis and media studies by offering cross-regional insights into the ideological framing of global conflicts, underscoring the need for critical engagement with news narratives.
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