Framing Analysis of Al Jazeera and Al Arabia’s Representation of the Palestinian Organisation Hamas: A Comparative Study

Abstract

This study offers a comparative analysis of how Al Jazeera and Al Arabia frame Hamas in their news headlines through the lens of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) using Fairclough’s model. The research reveals distinct linguistic and narrative techniques that reflect each outlet’s ideological stance. Findings indicate that Al Jazeera frames Hamas as a legitimate resistance movement, whereas Al Arabia portrays it as a group of violent militants. These contrasting media framings correspond with the foreign policy orientations of Qatar and Saudi Arabia, respectively. The study concludes that both networks’ coverage is influenced by state-affiliated agendas, underscoring the politicized nature of Arab media discourse surrounding the Palestinian struggle.