A corpus-based critical discourse analysis of news on the web representing Saudi Vision 2030

This study is a corpus-based investigation using critical discourse analysis (CDA) to examine how “Saudi Vision 2030” is framed in international media, utilizing the News on the Web (NOW) Corpus (≈22 billion words, 2016–mid-2025). The purpose is to identify dominant themes and patterns in how the Vision is discussed across time and countries. Using a mixed-methods approach, both qualitative and quantitative, the analysis focuses on 1,628 instances of the phrase “Saudi Vision 2030,” examining frequency, Mutual Information (MI), and PER MIL values across 20 English-speaking countries. Results show a sharp rise in visibility, from 43 mentions in 2016 to 308 in 2024, with strong lexical associations such as “Goals” (MI 5.25), “Objectives” (6.50), “Diversification” (6.51), and “Alignment” (6.19), reflecting a discourse centered on strategic reform and economic transformation. Four key themes emerge: modernization and economic diversification, social reform, national identity, and international alliances. Countries such as Pakistan, Ireland, Great Britain, and Hong Kong show the highest relative engagement, often influenced by economic ties or investment interests. In conclusion, the study reveals that Saudi Vision 2030 functions both as a national policy and as a globally constructed narrative, strategically framing modernization, measurable progress, and international positioning.