Crisis Coverage and Agenda-Setting on YouTube:  A Comparative Study of CNN’s English and Arabic Channels during the 2023 Gaza War

نوع المستند : المقالة الأصلية

المؤلف

" Lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication and Children's Culture, Faculty of Postgraduate Childhood Studies, Ain Shams University."

10.21608/ejsrt.2025.450235

المستخلص

The media plays a pivotal role in covering crises and disasters, significantly shaping public perceptions. News channels on YouTube have gained considerable prominence as a hybrid platform with widespread global influence. CNN International, one of the largest international news networks, is recognized for its extensive coverage of global events. This study aimed to compare the coverage of the 2023 Gaza War between CNN International and its Arabic counterpart on YouTube, employing a multidimensional analytical framework comprising nine dimensions. These dimensions were established based on Agenda-Setting Theory, and the study utilized both quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The sample included 262 videos (131 from each channel), collected between October 7 and October 31, 2023. The findings revealed stark disparities in coverage: CNN International predominantly adopted the Israeli narrative, whereas the Arabic version emphasized Palestinian suffering through humanitarian and political lenses. This divergence, observed across all analytical dimensions, reinforces global divisions, shapes public understanding, and significantly hinders prospects for future peace. The results underscore the urgent need for more balanced and objective reporting in the context of crises and disasters.

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