56. Name: Anne-Astou Lopes Title: Diverse Perceptions of International Television Networks in Times of Conflict: Critical Reception of CNN, Fox News and Al Jazeera on the Internet Institution: University of Quebec Country: Canada Date: 2009 Language: French Abstract: This research examines internet users’ perceptions of and responses to images of war broadcasted by CNN, Fox News and Al Jazeera. It focuses on two events of the Iraq war: the case of the Iraqi detainees who were tortured by US military personnel in the Abu Ghraib prison, and the battle of Fallujah, where American mercenaries were killed and their corpses hung over a bridge. This research analyzes the way internet users respond to images and how they express their opinions. The research draws on audience reception theories, particularly the concept of active interpretation, and employs discourse analysis to analyze a sample of internet users’ responses. It demonstrates that internet users’ cultural background is a deciding factor in their reception and interpretation of specific media content. The research also finds that, from the discourse of the selected internet users, their views can conflict with the main ideological standpoint of international television networks. By expressing their own opinions, internet users become active interpreters of media content and have influence on other internet users at large, who themselves are analytical and open to critical commentary.
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