A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CNN AND AL JAZEERA’S COVERAGE OF THE PALESTINIAN- ISRAELI CONFLICT OF 2023

ABSTRACT: This study analysed the published broadcast transcripts of CNN International and Aljazeera English to find out if both news outlets had differences in their coverage of Palestinian-Israeli conflict of July 08th, 2014 to August 26th, 2014. This is because previous studies have revealed that there were inaccuracies and inconsistencies of news content by the international media on their coverage of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict over a long period of time and this hugely contributes to international indifference and inaction concerning the conflict. Specifically, the study sought to examine the differences in tone, depicting of victim and villain hood frames and citation of sources by CNN International and Al Jazeera English. Framing theory was chosen as the appropriate theory with specific focus on content bias. Content analysis was adopted to analyse the data collected. Findings show that both stations had contrasting tones, victim and villain hood frames and sourcing of information differences on their coverage of the 2014 Gaza war. The study concludes that CNN International was more balanced in citing of sources, but still adopted the general official Israeli/American tone of framing the Palestinians as villains and the Israelis as victims while Al Jazeera English adopted a defensive position, framing the Palestinians as victims and the Israelis as villains. Therefore, this study recommends among others that, both networks should strive to ensure that their reports are always balanced in tone, when depicting victims and villains of the conflict and also both Palestinian and Israeli sources should be cited.