News Coverage of Artificial Intelligence in Online News: Frames and Tones from Al Jazeera English, CNA and CNN

Omar Abdallah Al-Zoubi; Normahfuzah Ahmad; Ashraf Faleh Al-Zoubi; Khalaf Mohammed Tahat; Sara Ali Al Maleki

doi:10.35516/Hum.2026.9373

Authors

Omar Abdallah Al-Zoubi School of Multimedia Technology and Communication, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia; College of Mass Communication, Umm Al Quwain University, Umm Al Quwain, United Arab Emirates https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3917-9196
Normahfuzah Ahmad School of Multimedia Technology and Communication, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Kedah, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6516-6405
Ashraf Faleh Al-Zoubi College of Information, Department of Radio and Television. Zarqa University, Zarqa, Jordan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8730-1978
Khalaf Mohammed Tahat Media Creative Industries Dept. UAEU, & Digital Journalism Department, Yarmouk University, Jordan. https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7801-4485
Sara Ali Al Maleki Media & Creative Industries Dept., UAEU, Al Ain, UAE https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7801-4485

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.9373

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, framing, news coverage, content analysis, Al Jazeera English, CNN, CNA

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to frame the content of news stories about artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism on the news websites of Al Jazeera English, CNA, and CNN, as well as to examine the tone used in these stories.

Methods: Using a content analysis approach, a total of 44 news stories related to the topic were identified. The dataset included 10 articles from Al Jazeera English, 19 from CNN, and 15 from CNA.

Results: According to Nisbett’s framing classification, the findings revealed that the "economic development and competitiveness" frame was commonly used in news articles by Al Jazeera English and CNA. Meanwhile, the "ethics and values" frame was most frequently employed in CNN articles. A neutral tone was predominantly used in news stories on Al Jazeera English and CNA, whereas a negative tone was more prevalent in CNN's coverage.

Conclusions: The study recommends that news organizations publish more stories about AI in journalism, emphasizing successful adoption cases while addressing ethical, legal, and social concerns. It also suggests that researchers pay greater attention to content analysis studies of news organizations, focusing on the impact of such stories on journalists' adoption or rejection of AI.

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