Framing the Istanbul Airport Attack: East vs. West Media Narratives

What is it?

This article explains the comparative analysis of media framing by international news agencies regarding the 2016 Istanbul airport attack. According to the research of Sabina Civila de Dios and Luis M. Romero-Rodríguez, both Eastern and Western agencies employed rhetorical strategies like demonization, euphemisms, and fear appeal to construct public perceptions.

Why is it important?

The main findings indicate that despite cultural and regional differences, both sides used similar rhetorical devices. This suggests a universal pattern in news construction, influencing how audiences perceive Islam, terrorism, and the East-West divide.

How is it applied?

Understanding media framing mechanisms can enhance media literacy, expose stereotypical biases, and guide journalism ethics in conflict coverage.

Media and Terrorism: A Complex Relationship

According to the research, media often serve as replicators of dominant discourse, using emotionally charged language that overshadows context. Euphemisms like “deadly blasts” or dysphemisms like “Islamic terrorism” reinforce fear and obscure deeper socio-political causes.

Comparative Framing by Global News Agencies

Agencies Studied

• Western: Reuters and Associated Press (AP)

• Middle Eastern: Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya

Methodology

A total of 144 headlines related to the Istanbul airport attack were analyzed using Atlas.ti and categorized under rhetorical themes including:

• Ideological Attribution

• Emotional Appeals

• Polarization

• Spectacularization

Key Findings

Shared Use of Fear and Demonization

The study found 90 codes emphasizing fear, the most dominant theme across all four agencies. Demonization of Islam and the Arab world appeared in 33 instances, reflecting the persistent use of stereotypes.

Euphemisms and Dysphemisms

Euphemistic language was common, with Reuters and AP leading in frequency. Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya also used these strategies, indicating that linguistic sanitization and exaggeration are global media practices.

Polarization and Stereotypes

Many headlines linked Islam directly with violence, perpetuating the Arab-terrorist stereotype. Both Western and Arab agencies portrayed the event as a civilizational clash, rather than a complex geopolitical issue.

Spectacularization Techniques

The analysis revealed the use of:

• Multimedia dramatization (“Scenes of carnage”)

• Intriguing headlines (“Last hour”, “Special coverage”)

• Emotional storytelling (victim family interviews)

• Content fragmentation to sustain audience attention

FAQs

Did Arab media portray Islam differently?
No significant differences were found. Even Arab-owned agencies used demonizing frames, likely influenced by Western journalistic norms.

Why does media emphasize fear in terrorism news?
Fear-based framing justifies political responses, encourages public compliance, and increases viewer engagement.

How can this framing be addressed?
By fostering critical media consumption, encouraging contextual reporting, and integrating intercultural journalism ethics.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the framing of terrorism in global media is more homogenized than expected. Disinformation, stereotypes, and emotional manipulation transcend cultural boundaries, reinforcing existing divides. The research underlines the need for responsible journalism that contextualizes rather than sensationalizes.