This study conducts a critical discourse analysis (CDA) of the coverage of pro-Palestinian student protesters at U.S. universities by two prominent news channels, Al Jazeera and CNN. Using the three dimensions of CDA—text analysis, discursive practice, and social practice—the research aims to uncover potential biases, framing mechanisms, and narrative strategies used by each outlet in representing these student-led demonstrations. Starting in April 2024, the protests have involved the establishment of encampments on over 80 university campuses across the United States in response to the Israel-Gaza conflict. The study identifies key linguistic patterns and framing devices to illustrate the contrasting narratives disseminated by each channel. The findings reveal significant divergences in representation. Al Jazeera's coverage emphasizes human rights and depicts student protesters as advocates for justice. In contrast, CNN's reporting prioritizes the political implications and highlights dissent and counter-narratives. These differences reflect deeper editorial biases that ultimately shape public perceptions of pro-Palestinian activism. The study contributes to media studies by illuminating the distinct discourses presented by global news networks around politically sensitive issues. Such insights offer a framework for understanding how media constructs and disseminates narratives, providing a valuable foundation for future research on media representation and its influence on public opinion.

Authors:
Eslam Abdelraouf, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

About the Presenter(s)
Eslam Abdelraouf is an assistant professor in the Department of Mass
Communication, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. He is also an associate
professor in the Department of Radio & TV at Al-Azhar University, Egypt.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/muhammad-yunus-zulkifli-56683045/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Muhammad-Yunus-Zulkifli

Additional website of interest
https://www.instagram.com/eslam_abdelraouf/

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