Language Manipulation in CNN's Presentation of the Syrian Crisis: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Abstract

This research is about the critical discourse analysis (henceforth, CDA) of the news which tackles the Syrian crisis in the American Cable News Network (henceforth, CNN). It aims to show how language is manipulated in the reports that focus on the Syrian crisis on CNN, as well as find out the effect of Russia's intervention in Syria on the Syrian News in the channel. To achieve its aim, the study hypothesizes that 1) CNN utilises discursive strategies in order to manipulate langue for ideological purposes that serve the channels orientation, and 2) Russia's military involvement in Syria affect the way CNN reports its news. In order to test its hypothesis, the study adopts the following procedures: 1) present a theoretical background about the field of CDA. 2) Analyze (6) report from CNN that tackle the Syrian crisis, (3) reports before and (3) after the Russian involvement. 3) Rely on van Dijk's In-group and Out-group presentation, as well as the Discursive Strategies found in his model Ideological Discourse Analysis (1995) and in analyzing the data.

Keywords: CDA, Manipulation, Syrian Crisis