211. Name: Lamma Zghoul Title: Al Jazeera English and BBC News Coverage of the Gaza War 2008-2009: A Comparative Examination Institution: Cardiff University Country: United Kingdom Date: 2021 Language: English Abstract: This research examines BBC News and Al Jazeera English reporting of the 2008/9 Gaza War (‘Operation Cast Lead’) and the production factors shaping their coverage. The research combined a content analysis of AJE and BBC news coverage, including thematic, textual and sourcing aspects, as well as interviews with AJE and BBC journalists. The findings show that Israeli sources, themes and framings dominated the BBC’s broadcast and online coverage across all thematic areas, including historical contextualization, world reactions, protests, the humanitarian impact, legality, and military developments, whereas Israeli and Palestinian sources and perspectives received equivalent levels of coverage on AJE. Key elements of historical, political, and legal contextualization, notably Israel’s blockade of Gaza and the humanitarian crisis, were extensively reported on AJE but were largely absent from BBC coverage. Overall, the BBC adopted ‘Operational’ and ‘War on Terror’ framings of the conflict, which centered Israeli aims and objectives, while AJE adopted ‘Attack on Gaza’ and ‘Resistance’ framings, broadly echoing the Palestinian narrative. Key production factors revealed by the interviews include Israel’s public relations superiority, its media access restrictions, and AJE’s extensive presence in Gaza.
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