The horrors through media : A study on the media coverage of the Gaza-war

News media play a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of international conflicts by determining which events are reported, which actors are given a voice, and how these actors are portrayed. This study examines how CNN and Al Jazeera English report on the 2023 Gaza War, focusing on how their news coverage constructs different narratives about the conflict. Through a thematic analysis of news articles from both outlets, this research identifies key patterns in their reporting, using framing and agenda-setting as theoretical frameworks to analyze how the media influence public understanding of the war. The findings reveal that CNN’s coverage is dominated by a security framing, where the conflict is primarily described from Israel’s perspective, while Al Jazeera English employs a humanitarian and historical framing, emphasizing Palestinian suffering and the war as part of a broader occupation narrative. Furthermore, the study shows that CNN frequently prioritizes Israeli and Western sources, whereas Al Jazeera English gives more space to Palestinian voices and international humanitarian organizations. These differences highlight how news media shape the public agenda and frame conflicts in ways that reflect broader geopolitical and ideological perspectives.