U.S. Media Coverage of the Situation in Jerusalem: A Discourse Analysis Study

Abstract

This study examines the way the two most influential U.S. newspapers (the New York Times and the Washington Post) covered Israel's colonial practices targeting Arab and Muslim presence in Jerusalem. A text corpus was collected of all news reports published over a two-month period. The methodological framework used for this study is based on the Critical Discourse Analysis Approach, which looks at discourse at textual, intertextual and contextual levels. Texts were analyzed for propositional content, lexical selections, presuppositions and patterns of inclusion, exclusion, emphasis and mitigation. Contextual analysis involves accounting for political, economic and cultural contexts which influence the way the two major newspapers cover the situation. Analysis shows a consistent pattern of selection, inclusion and exclusion that largely favours Israeli rationales and terminology. No mention was made in these newspapers of Israeli measures targeting the holy city which are in violation of international law and UN resolutions. The study also shows lack of situating the coverage in its political and historical contexts. A call for action at Palestinian, Arab and Muslim and international levels is suggested to protect Jerusalem and resist Israeli Zionist attacks targeting Arab Muslim presence in the occupied City. Suggestions are also offered about the role of principled journalism in covering news of the Middle East conflict.