Media Usage for Pope Francesco's Visit to Iraq March 5, 2021 (A Semiotic Study of the Photograph Welcoming Of the Pope)

Abstract

Objectives: The research aims to highlight the semiotic approach and apply it to a photograph of the Pope's reception at Baghdad International Airport, published on the page of the Media Office of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi in the Twitter application, in order to study its components, analyze its contents and clarify its implications, as well as approach the image as a political and media act. Methods: The stages of research were accomplished by "investigation, observation, and analysis", and the dismantling of the composition of the photograph, thus revealing the hidden and hidden aspects, relying on the semiotic approach to analysis. Results: The study showed that the ideas and meanings included in the image in form and content are in the framework of political marketing of the personality of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi, as well as the presence of implicit connotations represented by the official personality and the cross, which expresses the importance of this segment in Iraqi society. Conclusion: The study concluded that the symbols, connotations and rhetorical methods employed in the image contributed to increasing its effectiveness in influencing and reaching the target audience because of its persuasive power through which it aims to attract and attract the recipient. The results of the analysis confirmed the ability of these symbols, connotations and rhetorical methods in communicating to the recipient the meanings inherent in the image on the one hand and achieving the goals of the sender on the other hand.