Transcendent Policy

Transcendent Policy

News Coverage of the United States Withdrawal from the JCPOA in International Media BBC and CNN

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD., Student, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Za.C., Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran.
2 Department of International Relations, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Za.C., Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran
3 Department of International Relations, Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Za.C., Islamic Azad University, Zanjan, Iran.
10.22034/sm.2024.2017312.2167
Abstract
The present research has addressed the manner of the representation of the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in the news coverage of the BBC and CNN in the time period of May 8 to November 8, 2018, using the descriptive-analytical-comparative method and utilizing the method of qualitative and quantitative content analysis and based on the theories of framing, highlighting (priming), and the combined discourse analysis of van Dijk and Fairclough. The main goal of the inquiry is the analysis of discourse, framing, and news orientation in these two media outlets and the comparison of their approach toward this important international event. The statistical population includes all reports, analyses and news, articles, and interviews published on the website, television networks, or social networks of the BBC and CNN regarding the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA in the mentioned period. From among 184 initial news items, after refinement, 64 news items were selected for the final sample; 32 news items related to CNN and 32 news items related to the BBC. The findings indicate that the BBC mostly possesses a multilateral and analytical approach that reflects the U.S. withdrawal within the framework of European relations, sanctions, and international consequences. CNN has mostly addressed the framework of "Maximum Pressure," the return of sanctions, U.S. domestic interests, and its economic and political consequences for Washington. In fact, the BBC has emphasized international consequences and multilateralism more, while CNN has organized its narrative mainly around the axis of Trump's personal decision and the domestic political consequences of the U.S. Also, significant differences exist in the highlighting of subjects, news priorities, and discourse between these two media outlets, which originate from their news mission, target audience, and media strategies. The final result is that the news coverage of these two media outlets is not only a reflection of events but also has a potential impact on the international image, public opinion, and policy-making, and their precise analysis is essential for understanding public diplomacy, media power, and international communications.
Keywords

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