چکیده:
This paper uses discourse analysis to analyze the linguistic elements employed in how two
different newspapers report on a certain event in Bahrain. This paper will address the question
of what linguistic structures are employed in the two news stories to influence the perceptions
of the reader in opposite directions. The two newspapers are published in countries that hold
opposing views about the government in Bahrain and the protests taking place on its streets.
This paper uses methods of discourse analysis such as thematic analysis, lexical cohesion,
naming and macrostructure analysis to interpret how the inclination, bias and loyalties of the
newspaper are being conveyed to the reader. The representation in the Saudi Gazette is mainly
neutral while it excludes any information that reflects poorly on the Bahraini government or
puts it in a negative light. On the other hand, the Tehran Times uses a lot of references to
negative actions of the government to discredit it and make the legal amendment appear as a
tool of oppression against the Bahraini protestors.
Introduction
Discourse analysis is a method of critically analyzing discourse or text to identify and
interpret how language has been employed to convey power relationships among the
individuals and groups being discussed. Discourse analysis employs a variety of techniques to
study the power relationships as expressed through the use of linguistic elements and
structures. Moreover, the role played by the social and historical context also affects how
particular discourse is interpreted. The linguistic elements used in studying discourse include
the way in which vocabulary or words are used to communicate certain connotations over
others. Similarly, the importance of certain events or actors is conveyed by their particular
position in the overall structure and arrangement of other elements of the discourse.
This paper will discuss a common story that appears in two different newspapers which
influences the political colour attributed to the two stories. The story is about the legal
amendments being pursued in the kingdom of Bahrain in response to the political disturbance
following the Arab Spring revolt in several Arab countries. Bahrain has also experienced a
number of such incidents by members of the Shia majority protesting against the rule of the
Sunni minority Khalifa regime. The regime enjoys support from the Sunni-majority Gulf
member states such as Saudi Arabia while the protestors have their sympathizers in Shiamajority
Iran.
Early in February, the Bahrain government toughened the penalties for publicly offending
the Bahrain king, national flag or any emblem representing the kingdom. These penalties are
expected to increase the pressure on the protestors and enforce law and order in the kingdom.
This development has been reported in regional as well as international newspapers. The
Iranian newspaper Tehran Times published the news story on 5 February 2014 while the
Saudi Gazette covered the event on the same day. The proposed study will apply methods of
discourse analysis to explore the connotations of the words and sentence structure that have
been employed to discuss this event in the two newspapers.