Arab Satellite Channels' Commitment to Media Ethics in Covering the Baptist Massacre During the 2023 Gaza War: A Comparative Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.11029Keywords:
Media ethics, Baptist massacre, Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, Arab national security, agenda theory, ethical discourse theory.Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the extent to which Arab satellite channels adhered to media ethics in their coverage of the Baptist Hospital massacre during the 2023 Gaza War, through a comparative analysis of the Al Jazeera website (Al Jazeera.net) and the Al Arabiya website (Al Arabiya).
Methods: The researcher applied agenda-setting theory to examine the priorities reflected in the two websites, based on the theory’s premise that media priorities influence public perception. Additionally, Habermas's theory of moral discourse was used to evaluate the ethical standards in coverage, particularly regarding the massacres committed by the occupation against civilians. A quantitative content analysis was conducted, covering all relevant news items about the "Baptist Hospital massacre." The dataset included 100 news items on Al Jazeera and 25 on Al Arabiya.
Results: The findings revealed that Al Arabiya demonstrated greater adherence to media ethics across all categories, while Al Jazeera's coverage was rated as more ethical by 52%, compared to Al Arabiya's 40%. Al Jazeera used more diverse but less credible sources, whereas Al Arabiya relied mainly on statements from political and military leaders (68%). Both websites focused primarily on the targeting of civilians.
Conclusions: The study recommends emphasizing objective analysis to provide evidence-based reporting on perpetrators of massacres, rather than relying on inflammatory language and unsubstantiated accusations.
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