This paper argues that CNN's coverage of Israel and Palestine is influenced by Orientalism and that the distinctions Orientalism makes between 'West' and 'non-West' are a key reason how the network discusses and scrutinizes the conflict. This paper claims that CNN harbors an entrenched Orientalist view of the Arab world, and that Orientalism, in the context of hegemonic discourse, drives CNN's perspective in defining Arabs (and Muslims). This paper shows how and through which terminology the Orientalist discourse materializes in CNN's programs and commentaries, which are often marked by the use of binary terms, collectivisms and generalities, and a one-sided relationship between the "us" versus "them". Consequently, and in stark contrast to its vision statement, "To Inform, Engage and Empower the World", this paper claims that CNN lacks objectivity and impartiality. With this in mind, the paper critically assesses the network's coverage in the context of the latest round of hostilities between Israelis and Palestinians, which began on October 7, 2023. This paper draws from article and publication reviews and an analysis of programming content to argue that the deep-rooted journalistic double standards vis-à-vis the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which have plagued media in the United States (US) for decades, are very much the norm at CNN.
Zainab Zahid (Thu,) studied this question.