Discursive strategies unveiled: exploring Arab and Western media narratives on Arab women
This study emerges against the backdrop of increasing global interest in gender representation, focusing on the portrayal of Arab women in media narratives across both Arab and Western contexts. It critically examines the discursive strategies used in the representation of Arab women in Arab a...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Penerbit Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
2024
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| Online Access: | http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25016/ http://journalarticle.ukm.my/25016/1/Gema%20Online_24_4_10.pdf |
| Summary: | This study emerges against the backdrop of increasing global interest in gender representation,
focusing on the portrayal of Arab women in media narratives across both Arab and Western
contexts. It critically examines the discursive strategies used in the representation of Arab women
in Arab and Western media. It employs Reisigl and Wodak's Discourse-Historical Approach as a
theoretical framework for data analysis. Four newspapers: Washington Post, Daily Mail, Arab
News, and Gulf Times were selected for this study where a total of 40 news discourses were
analysed, with ten news discourses from each newspaper, to reveal how Arab and Western media
narratives shape public perceptions and contribute to the discourse on Arab women's rights and
societal roles. The findings reveal that Arab newspapers primarily highlight themes of
empowerment and societal participation, aligning with national modernization efforts. Their
portrayal is largely positive, emphasizing the achievements of Arab women and their significant
roles in traditionally male-dominated sectors. On the other hand, Western newspapers present a
broader spectrum of narratives. For instance, the Washington Post provides a balanced view that
acknowledges both progress and ongoing challenges, while the Daily Mail focuses on
sensationalism, emphasizing persecution and cultural conflicts, thus potentially reinforcing
stereotypes and advocating Western norms of gender equality. It is revealed that while Arab media
aim to project a progressive image of Arab women and align with broader governmental reforms,
Western media often highlight negative aspects, influencing international perspectives and policy
debates. The study underscores the significant impact of these media portrayals on public opinion
and contributes to a deeper understanding of the media's role in shaping and challenging the
narratives surrounding Arab women, highlighting areas for further scholarly exploration and
policy consideration. |
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