How Algerian and Moroccan Media Framed Their Nation’s Stance in Reporting the Algeria-Morocco Diplomatic Break: A Corpus-Based News Values Analysis of Political Narratives

This study aims to explore the most critical factors that derived the political behaviors of Algeria and Morocco in their consistent conflicts. Using a corpus-based discursive news values analysis, the study identifies the dominant news values constructed in media discourse and the justifications used by both countries to support their diplomatic positions. The findings reveal that both Algerian and Moroccan media rely on quotes from domestic and international political leaders to validate their actions. The main difference is that while the Algerian media focused on defining Morocco as an invader by dredging up Morocco’s disreputable history as an invader, the Moroccan media highlighted the inhumanity of Algeria by portraying refugees’ miserable lives in the Tindouf camps. These justifications have been central to the conflict, and the study argues that addressing and overturning these narratives could provide a critical breakthrough in resolving the dispute. To help ease tensions between Algeria and Morocco, the study recommends improving humanitarian conditions in the Tindouf camps and encouraging Morocco to strengthen its peace-oriented international image. This research offers new insights into the role of media in sustaining diplomatic hostility and proposes specific strategies for conflict resolution, filling a gap left by previous studies.