Doha, Qatar – An international conference convened today in Doha to analyze the Western media’s portrayal of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The two-day event, titled “International Media and the War on Gaza: Discourse Orientations and the Struggle of Narratives,” brings together researchers and media experts to dissect the mechanisms through which Western media outlets have framed the conflict since October 7, 2023.
The conference aims to deconstruct the structural and professional factors influencing the dominant narratives, with a particular focus on the role of media institutions in shaping perceptions of the actors and contexts involved in the conflict. Participants will address critical issues, including the concept of “media genocide” accompanying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the cognitive dominance of Western media theories, and the role of language in constructing conflicting narratives between mainstream and alternative media.
Key topics under discussion include:
- The notion of “media genocide” and its implications for the coverage of the conflict.
- The influence of Western media theories on the construction of narratives.
- The role of language in shaping perceptions of the conflict.
- The impact of social media in challenging traditional media monopolies.
- The need for alternative critical approaches based on the experiences of the Global South.
Organizers emphasize the importance of developing alternative critical approaches rooted in the experiences of the Global South to redress the imbalance in academic research and media practice. The conference seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics shaping media coverage of the Gaza conflict and to promote more balanced and nuanced reporting.
The event underscores the critical need for diverse perspectives and analytical frameworks in examining the role of media in conflict zones, particularly in addressing potential biases and ensuring accurate and comprehensive coverage.
