176. Name: Aleksandra Zalewska Title: Al Jazeera’s “Opinion and Other Opinion” or a Game of Appearances: Creating the Image of the Islamic State in Selected Media Institution: University of Warsaw Country: Poland Date: 2015 Language: Polish Abstract: This Master thesis aims to characterize the role of the Arabic-language online news service of Al Jazeera network and its impact on public opinion. It shows how media organizations and the process they follow to select new contents shape the awareness of their audiences. The phrase “opinion and other opinion”, used in the title is Jazeera’s motto. It shows how the network tries to present itself as a platform for different views and how, based on the principles of democracy, it builds its reputation as a neutral and credible news source. The study focuses on the ‘Islamic State’ as case study in order to show how the network selects and presents news concerning this organization. It also tries to understand the relationship and draw the line between the politics of this institution and that of its sponsor, the state of Qatar. Based on the findings, it can be assumed that they overlap, or at least complement each other. The findings also show that, despite the controversy surrounding Al Jazeera, it remains a respected news source and an influential tool in forming public opinion.
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