Press processing about Spicker massacre subjects in the site Al-Furat News Analytical Study For the period from 15/6/2014 to 31/12/2017

Abstract

The aim of this research is to seek knowledge about the process of

electronic journalism, represented by the Al-Furat News website about the topics of the Spiker massacre, and to identify the site’s direction regarding this massacre. In addition for recognition the accuracy, credibility and objectivity of the site in its treatment of the massacre topics. And to reveal the methods used by the electronic press, represented by this website, in dealing with these topics. Therefore, the researcher used the descriptive method, as it is one of the most appropriate methods used in media studies. It helps in describing the events and analyzing them accurately, relying on the content analysis method, by listing all the topics of the Spiker massacre for the period from 15/6/2014 AD - 31/12/2017 AD.The researcher analyzed the contents according to a form prepared for this purpose, which included categories (what was said, and how was it said). After getting the quantitative and qualitative results to be analyzed and interpreted, the researcher reached several conclusions, the most notable one is:

The research community website focused on the fact that the real reasons for which young men were killed in the Spiker massacre were on a sectarian and doctrine basis.Ignoring the political conflicts, security breaches, and the presence of terrorist organizations as a reason for the massacre, so the site relied on simple news, by transferring official data and statements to convey the news without conducting in-depth reports and investigations about the topic. As well as the sectarian response to the massacre, and the research community’s website focused on multimedia (images) in the news. Furthermore, the site did not use videos because of the horrific methods of killing. The research community website showed the negative attitude of the Iraqi government in counting only the numbers of victims without revealing the facts of the massacre.The site focused on the issue of court rulings against those involved in the massacre at the center and demanding urgent retribution for those who killed Shiite youth.The research community website decided to publish the topics of the Spiker massacre on the main page due to the importance of the event, being one of the important local events that occupied local public opinion.