Arabic Media and the Ukrainian Conflict: Discourse and Ideology

Focused on two renowned Arabic networks, Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiyya, this book examines Arabic media discourses and strategies adopted in the coverage of the conflict in Ukraine.

Providing an in-depth textual analysis of the coverage of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, the book focuses on the types of discourse employed, key linguistic devices used, and the representation of different actors, whether directly or indirectly involved. This encompasses the attitudes and perceptions of Russians, Ukrainians, Europeans, Americans, and NATO, as well as the wider international community. The book aims to establish the inextricable link between language and the socio-cultural and political ideologies that contribute to the production of media discourse on conflicts. It is argued that some of these ideologies are represented through language, which itself reflects the networks’ policies, the influence of their sponsors, and their individual stances towards the war.

The book will be of interest to students and researchers in a range of fields, including Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies, Media and Communications, and Applied Linguistics, as well as to general readers interested in media’s coverage of conflicts.

El Mustapha Lahlali is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Media at the University of Leeds. He is the author of several books, including: A Dictionary of Arabic Idioms and Expressions (co-authored, Edinburgh University Press, 2024); Arabic Media Coverage of Pandemics: Discourse, Strategy and Impact (Routledge, 2023); Arabic Political Discourse in Transition (Edinburgh University Press, 2022); How to Write in Arabic: Developing Your Academic Style, 2nd Edition (Edinburgh University Press, 2021); and Arabic Media Dictionary (Routledge, 2019).