The differences in how Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya presented the Israeli Prime Minister’s First Visit to Bahrain : A discourse analysis of four articles

Abstract: This study examines how Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya, both state-sponsored media, presented the Israeli prime minister’s first official visit to Bahrain in February 2022. The study aims to show differences in the written presentation of the same news in the light of the two different editorial positions of the two channels. The primary sources of analysis are four online published articles, two from Al-Jazeera and two from Al-Arabiya. The study applies qualitative content analysis and uses the discourse analytical ”What’s the problem represented to be” approach (WPR). WPR was used by posing the same predetermined questions to all articles to reveal differences in each channel’s presentation of the visit. The study finds that Al-Jazeera continues to highlight the negative aspects of Arab normalization with Israel, gives voice to oppositional actors who condemn normalization, and underlines the moral aspects of the visit. On the other hand, Al-Arabiya avoids mentioning any part of normalization or any negative element of such a controversial visit. Instead, Al-Arabiya focused on raising how Israel is now a defense partner in combating terrorism from Iran.