What is it about?

This study looks at how two major Arabic news websites, RT Arabic and Sky News Arabia, reported on ISIS between 2014 and 2016. By comparing the articles, we found that both sites often used a “conflict” frame, showing ISIS mainly through the lens of war and violence. However, RT Arabic tended to exaggerate ISIS’s power and strength more than Sky News Arabia, which created a different overall image of the group. While both highlighted ISIS as a threat, the way they portrayed its influence and actions was not the same.

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Why is it important?

This research is important because it examines how two influential Arabic news outlets shaped public understanding of ISIS during a critical period (2014–2016), when the group was at the height of its activity. It is unique in comparing RT Arabic and Sky News Arabia—two platforms with different political and editorial orientations. It is also timely because it sheds light on how media framing can influence perceptions of terrorism and violent groups, a topic that remains highly relevant in today’s discussions about media, security, and extremism.

Perspectives

I was motivated to carry out this study because I wanted to understand how influential Arabic media outlets contribute to shaping public perceptions of terrorism. During the years when ISIS dominated headlines, I noticed clear differences in tone and emphasis between channels, and this inspired me to explore the issue systematically. I believe this research not only highlights those differences, but also shows the power of media framing in shaping how audiences view violent groups and global security threats.

Dr Daleen AL Ibrahim
Damascus University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Framing terrorism: A comparative content analysis of ISIS news on RT Arabic and Sky News Arabia websites, Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research, September 2020, Intellect,
DOI: 10.1386/jammr_00020_1.
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