Framing the Russia-Ukraine Crisis: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Ideo-logical Strategies in British and Arab Online Newspapers
Subject Areas :Falah Abdulhasan Atiyah 1 , Sahar Najarzadegan 2 * , Hussein Musa Kadhim 3 , Mehdi Vaez Dalili 4
1 - Department of English Language, Isf. C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 - Department of English Language, Isf. C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
3 - Department of English, College of Basic of Education for Humanities. University of Kerbala, Kerbala, Iraq
4 - Department of English Language, Isf. C., 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 emo-tionally 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 me-dia studies by offering cross-regional insights into the ideological framing of global conflicts, underscoring the need for critical engagement with news narratives.