The Role of Iran’s Image in Shaping Media Professionals’ Attitudes Toward the Conflict in the Middle East
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33282/abaa.v18i71.1146Keywords:
Iran’s image, attitude reinforcement, Middle East conflictAbstract
Objectives: This study aims to explore the role of Iran’s image as presented on the websites of Arab satellite television channels in shaping and reinforcing the attitudes of Iraqi media professionals toward the conflict in the Middle East. The research problem stems from the following main question: What role does the image of Iran on the websites of Arab satellite channels play in reinforcing the attitudes of Iraqi media professionals toward the conflict in the Middle East?
Methodology: The study adopted the descriptive method using the survey approach to analyze the topic. The research sample included media professionals working in a number of visual, audio, and print media institutions headquartered in Baghdad.
Results: The findings revealed that the websites of Arab satellite channels focus heavily on Middle Eastern conflict issues when presenting Iran’s image. The coverage was characterized by selective treatment and political framing. The results also indicated a noticeable influence of the image of Iran presented on these websites on the attitudes of a large number of Iraqi media professionals, whether in terms of support, opposition, or neutrality. Moreover, the media treatment of Iran’s image was found to be linked to regional political transformations and contributed to shaping media professionals’ perceptions regarding the roles of actors involved in the conflict.
Conclusion: The image of Iran as presented on the websites of Arab satellite channels is not merely a reflection of reality; rather, it functions as an influential tool in shaping the professional awareness and attitudes of Iraqi media professionals regarding the Middle East conflict. The study demonstrates that employing this image in media discourse contributes to forming intellectual and political positions among media professionals concerning the nature of regional roles. This calls for deeper studies on the relationship between media imagery and opinion formation within the professional media environment.
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References
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