Media discourse towards religious extremism and terrorism in the Iraqi media - An analytical study

Abstract

this study aimed to identify media discourse of the Al-Ahd and Al-Ittijah channels regarding religious extremism and terrorism, through examining the topics and methods presented in the media discourse towards extremism and terrorism on both channels. To achieve research objectives and answer its questions, an analytical survey method and a content analysis tool on news samples from both channels was applied, consisting of 14 news samples distributed evenly. study found a lot of results, the most notable being that the Al-Ahd channel outperformed the Al-Ittijah channel regarding security and political topics related to terrorism by a very high percentage of (93%), while the Al-Ittijah channel reached (56%). On the other hand, the Al-Ittijah channel excelled in social and cultural topics by (42%) and economic topics by (2%). The Al-Ahd channel addressed issues of terrorism and extremism more from a political and security perspective, whereas the Al-Ittijah channel varied in its coverage of extremism and terrorism topics, emphasizing results more than causes, using expressive language and metaphorical imagery to attract the audience and evoke a state of alertness and emotion. The Al-Ahd channel was more objective and clearer in presenting appeals and demands, ensuring their repetition and renewal. Recommendation of study represented in confirmation that Iraqi media institutions unify their media discourse strategies concerning national issues that affect the country's security, especially extremism and terrorism.