British Newspapers Research Articles

Representation of Gaza War in Pakistani and British Newspapers Editorial Cartoons: A Semiotic Analysis

This study aims to examine the representation of the Gaza war in Pakistani and British newspaper editorials through cartoons. Machin and Mayr (2012) multimodal analytical model has been applied for the analysis of cartoons. The data for this study is collected from English newspapers. The data source of this research included two Pakistani newspapers (The Dawn, The News International) and two British newspapers (The Telegraph, The Independent). The time period for the data collection is 3 weeks. The editorial cartoons have been selected by using the purposive sampling technique. The results of the study indicate that Pakistani and British newspaper editorial cartoons show significant differences in narrative focus and ideological alignment regarding the issue of the Gaza war. Pakistani cartoons highlight the victimization of Palestinians, criticize western support for Israel, and advocate Islamic and international solidarity against the policies of Israel. In contrast, British cartoons criticize political leadership and larger international issues through humor and satire. These findings reflect the political, cultural, and social background of each country, which influences the way the Gaza war is represented and perceived by the public. This study highlights the importance of cartoons and images in conveying specific ideas and perspectives, particularly in the context of the Gaza war.

Placement of Adverbials in Pakistani English: A Pedagogical Perspective

This study aims to analyze the variation in the placement of adverbials in the non-native variety of English i.e. Pakistani English. From the current pedagogical point of view, the placement of adverbials in Pakistani English is influenced both by the Pakistani languages itself and by local teaching practices. Identifying the diverse placement and position of adverbials in the different registers under consideration is the key issue that has been addressed in the present research. A corpus of Pakistani English newspapers, short stories and novels was compiled to analyze the variations in the use of adverbials in non-native contexts. AntConc software has been used to extract the adverbials. The extracted examples reflect the state of development and the degree of variation in Pakistan English. The results and findings of this study show that there are some changes in the placement of adverbial in Pakistani English as compared to British English. These differences point out the specificities and novelties that are the characteristics of Pakistani English. These positional differences show variation in style in Pakistani English in comparison to the norms of Standard English. This study contributes to the flow of knowledge about variation in English and maps out the distinct use of English in Pakistan.

Interplay of Linguistic and Semiotic Choices in Shaping Meaning: A Critical Analysis of Political Cartoon in Pakistani English Newspaper

In today's world, where nations are interconnected through media, the analysis of media discourse from different perspectives on societal issues has gained much currency. The present study analyzes the satirical representation of a newspaper cartoon to find out how these media persons utilize cartoons and the accompanying linguistic choices to affect readers' opinions and understandings. Guided by qualitative research methodology, the data for this study is collected in the form of one cartoon selected through purposive sampling from a Pakistani English newspaper i.e., Dawn. Taking insights from Barthes's (1957) theory of semiotics and Fairclough’s (1995) Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) model, the study utilizes an integrated framework for a fine-grain analysis of cartoon discourse. The intermingling of these two models of analysis has helped the researchers to highlight how newspaper cartoon discourse can be utilized to construct and highlight certain ideologies. The selected cartoon under the caption "OIC seeks global intervention to halt Gaza genocide," highlights the themes of victimization and powerlessness. By utilizing the signs of a man and a wooden log for the OIC (Organization of Islamic Cooperation) and Gaza, respectively, the cartoonist has evoked feelings of sympathy for the innocent killing of Palestinians. Hence, the study has found a logical connection between linguistic and semiotic systems to highlight the OIC's inefficacy and the world's indifference and hypocritical response towards the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Developing the Cross-Cultural Understanding Course Materials for the English Major Students

Cross-Cultural Understanding (CCU) is one of the compulsory courses required of all six-semester students at the English Literature Study Program of Universitas Khairun. This course provides the students with an awareness of cross-cultural concepts. The problem is that the teaching and learning process of the CCU course in the English Literature Study Program has not been optimal in recent years. One of the reasons is a lack of teaching material to meet learning objectives. This research aims to create a technology-based CCU textbook that contains appropriate teaching materials for students. It is intended that the contents in the CCU textbook to be developed align with the curriculum and Semester Learning Plan (SLP) of the CCU course. Preliminary research as part of three phases of development research design was carried out. A need analysis was conducted to identify students' needs for teaching materials, learning methods, and assessment. A need analysis was conducted with questionnaires via Google form to collect data, involving 43 six-semester students at the English Literature Study Program of Universitas Khairun. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. It was found that more than 97% of 43 students involved in the study strongly agreed and agreed that a technology-based textbook for the CCU course should be made available. In addition, the textbook of the CCU course should contain materials from online articles, YouTube videos, and links to online English newspapers as well as Indonesian online publications. It was also found that the learning activities reflected in the CCU course should include a discussion, a lecturer explanation, group presentations, individual assignment activities, and group assignment activities. Students' proficiency in the CCU course can be assessed using a variety of methods, including paper writing, projects, and exams.

“The Tale is Soon Told”: Working-Class Storytelling in Sylvia Pankhurst’s “Thrift” and May Westoby’s “The Injustice of the King”

From 1880 onwards British Socialists produced a substantial body of short fiction using working-class oral literary traditions to frame their narratives. Women remain underrepresented in scholarship on this aspect of literary studies in part because much of what they wrote has been lost to history or remains hidden. Retrieving Sylvia Pankhurst’s “Thrift” (The Woman’s Dreadnought, June 1914) and May Westoby’s “The Injustice of the King” (Justice, November 1910) from the archives, and republishing them for a contemporary audience, contributes to restorative projects by scholars seeking to broaden the scope of writing on Socialist women’s creative activism by expanding the existing body of available work to include unpublished or neglected fiction, plays and poetry. These short stories, originally published in British newspapers, are examples of Pankhurst and Westoby’s ability to appeal to a socially situated readership of working men and women by simulating oral literatures, and more specifically, forms typical of the parable, fairy tale, moral tale, and working-class life writing. These stories exemplify how Socialist writers brought non-fiction and fiction into dialogue to simplify complex ideas, humanize the cold constraints of politics, draw connections between the social and the political, and pay tribute to British working-class culture and traditions.

ORTHOGRAPHIC, LEXICAL AND GRAMMATICALDIFFERENCES IN BRITISH AND AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS

The current article explores the nuanced distinctions between British and American English, particularly focusing on their systematic peculiarities as observed in online newspapers. It discusses how the evolution of newspapers has significantly influenced their style and language over time. Orthographic, lexical, and grammatical variations are well-known features of both British and American English. This article highlights the primary systematic differences between the two. While historically there has been a clear demarcation between British and American English, recent research suggests that this boundary is becoming increasingly blurred. Many prominent American newspapers are now adopting orthographic, lexical, and grammatical conventions traditionally associated with British English. Similarly, renowned British newspapers are showing a tendency to embrace simplified spelling and vocabulary more typical of American English. This mutual influence indicates that neither variety is entirely isolated or static; rather, there is a noticeable convergence between them, which is becoming more apparent over time.

The Role of News Sentiments in the Connectedness of GCC Equity Markets

<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif; font-size: 14pt;">This study examines the role of news sentiments in the GCC equity markets’ connectedness. We collected news titles for the period from 22nd June 2006 until 31st December 2020 from Gulf News, which is the most widely read English newspaper in the Arab World. We filter these news titles using a carefully designed list of keywords that capture public sentiment on matters related to financial markets. Next, we classify the news titles to compute the geographically distinguished sentiment indexes that allow for a detailed analysis of the source of news sentiment spillovers to compare the impact of domestic versus regional sentiments on the equity markets of GCC countries. Our quantile regression results reveal that equity markets in the GCC are most sensitive to news sentiments when underperforming. Moreover, our results from the connectedness approach suggest that the UAE equity markets are most influenced by domestic sentiments, whilst the KSA equity market is most influenced by regional sentiments from the other GCC countries. Mixed results are found for other countries. The time-varying component of this study also shows that the influence of news spillovers intensified during the major crises events, including the COVID-19 outbreak.</span></p>

Gender and family-role portrayals of autism in British newspapers: An intersectional corpus-based study.

A recent large-scale study on the portrayal of autism in British newspapers revealed a deficit-based coverage, which concentrated on children and boys in particular, typically represented from the mothers' perspective. This follow-up study refines these representations, considering how they differ by gender and family role. We analysed 2998 text samples, which discussed autism in the context of four combinations of gender and family roles, namely, BOY, GIRL, FATHER and MOTHER. These samples included sources with different publication dates, reporting style and political orientation. Autism representations remained negative regardless of gender and family role. Over time, stories about autistic girls started to emerge, identifying them as a distinct group explicitly compared to autistic boys. Newspapers, especially broadsheets, associated girls with diagnostic difficulties, camouflaging and sometimes gender dysphoria - discussed particularly for those assigned female at birth. The child's autism was more often attributed to maternal than paternal behaviours or lifestyle. Autistic mothers were mentioned more often than fathers and were portrayed negatively. We conclude that newspapers portray female autism as less significant than male autism and, in addition, place mothers under more ethical scrutiny than fathers. These disparities reflect both historical biases in autism research and gender and family-role stereotypes.

Discursive news values analysis: the case of Liz Truss’ representation in the British press

Abstract This paper focuses on the news representation of Liz Truss by the British press, starting from the identification of news values. In addition, our analysis investigates the portrayal of Truss as a gendered social actor. The data were retrieved online through the resource LexisNexis – using the keyword “Truss” in headlines and lead paragraphs in both British broadsheets and tabloids – during three crucial days: 10 July 2022, the day Truss announced her candidacy for the leadership of the Conservative Party and as Prime Minister, 5 September 2022, when she became leader of the Conservative Party and consequently the new Prime Minister, and 20 October 2022, the day she announced her resignation as leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister. These data were analysed combining Bednarek’s and Caple’s Discursive News Values Analysis (DNVA) and Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA). Our findings identify the most frequent news values employed by British national newspapers in Truss’ portrayal during the selected timespans and highlight the connection between those values and her gendered representation.

From opponents to enemies? How the British press framed the EU–UK relationship in Brexit news

ABSTRACT In contemporary democracies, the media plays a crucial role. How the press addresses issues concerning the European Union and its relationships with member states profoundly influences political discourse and public opinion. As an ‘awkward partner’, the United Kingdom has consistently had a complex relationship with the EU, predominantly regarding questions of identity and sovereignty. Within this political context, British newspapers are widely regarded as highly sensitive to EU-UK conflict, employing media rhetoric that underscores a form of destructive dissent associated with threats to sovereignty and identity in the face of a German-dominated Europe. Furthermore, the 2016 Brexit referendum notably exacerbated the EU and the UK divide. This article investigates the prominence of the EU-UK relationship and its portrayal in British media coverage of Brexit. To achieve this, the study analyses news articles published by two British broadsheet newspapers and two tabloids between 1 February 2020 and 31 December 2020.

Navigating the digital classroom: a qualitative content analysis of MOOC discourses in Indian e-newspapers

PurposeThis paper aims to explore and unravel the contents portrayed in online news discourses on massive open online courses (MOOCs). Considering sociological dimensions and journalistic strategies, this study examines how online news media reflects, shapes and informs narratives about the social acceptance and use of the MOOC model of learning.Design/methodology/approachUsing the Gioia methodology as the overarching framework, this study adopted a two-staged qualitative content analysis of 1,162 online news items from the websites of the top seven online English newspapers of India, published between May 2012 and September 2023. In subsequent semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts, broad themes were identified. In addition, this study integrated Van Dijk’s ideological square model with media content theories to comprehensively analyze the intricate complexities in media depictions of MOOCs.FindingsWhile manifest content analysis revealed the emergence of 25 categories, latent content analysis unveiled six broad themes: “announcements, user stages, characteristics, benefits, changing facets, and educational inequalities,” which are associated with the MOOC model. Application of Van Dijk’s model evidenced the usage of a positive self-representation strategy by Indian online news media until mid-2020. The application of media content theories underscored the predominant usage of reframing as a journalistic strategy to maintain reader interest in MOOC-related content in online news items, emphasizing the dynamic nature of media portrayals of social phenomena such as MOOCs.Practical implicationsThe depth of MOOC-related coverage and the increasing number of news articles discussing MOOCs in Indian online media signify a growing acceptance of this educational innovation in society. Insights from emergent themes can aid administrators and platforms to effectively design and deliver future courses. In addition, understanding these themes can guide the development of media strategies to address contextual issues such as educational inequalities arising from MOOCs. This study also focuses on the necessity of upholding journalistic ethics in content dissemination.Originality/valueThis study provides a comprehensive synthesis of various themes and journalistic strategies adopted by online news media over the last decade in MOOC-based narratives in India. Given the distinctive Indian context, wherein MOOCs are growing rapidly amid widening digital inequalities, this research addresses calls within information systems literature to explore this phenomenon. It pioneers the integration of communication and mass media theories to analyze the complex sociological dynamics in news discourses on MOOCs, offering a novel perspective on the intersection of media representation and educational innovation.

The aftermath of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack – religion, nationalism and exclusion in online news comment sections

ABSTRACT This study analyses the Indian and Pakistani publics reactions of the extensive coverage of the Pulwama terror attack, through an analysis of the online comments appearing at the end of the news stories covering the attack from the two leading English newspapers: Times of India (TOI) (India), and Dawn (D) (Pakistan). A qualitative content analysis is performed to compare and examine this dialogue emerging in the news comments sections. Findings are explored and discussed through conceptualizations of religion, nationalism, and a social psychological perspective towards exclusion of out-groups.

The Politics of Identity Markers: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Pakistani English Newspapers

This study looked at how politicians come about with their political identities using identity markers to communicate their ideology(s) and ideas in political discourse. This study attempted to examine such identifying markers employed by Imran Khan (PTI), Fazal-ur-Rehman (JUI-F), Nawaz Sharif (PML-N), and Bilawal Bhutto (PPP) in Dawn and The Express Tribune news between 2018 and 2023. Data was obtained from the sites of a number of newspapers using a qualitative research method, using Fairclough's 3D model. Important markers of identification were phrases such as youth, corruption, accountability, and Naya Pakistan (new Pakistan), as well as cultural symbols, like flags and turbans. The ongoing use of pronouns, metaphors, and authoritative language by politicians helped to make societal topics such as power dynamics, corruption, and development lively. It is found that Fairclough's approach to the analysis of political identity markers can be put to good use.

The Variant Use of Verb in Pakistani English Newspapers: A Corpus-Based Study

The present study deals with the variable use of verb in Pakistani English. It describes the verbs in Pakistani English that are similar to Standard British English semantically but vary at lexical level. It is a qualitative descriptive study which intends to identify the lexical choices of PE speakers/ writers. Two corpora: BNC and PENC have been used in present study to identify and describe those verbs qualitatively and for studying nativization and variation in these verbs. While using the corpus of newspaper, the present study anticipates to recognize the lexical choices of Pakistani people which contribute in making Pakistani English a distinct variety. It also aims to ascertain the pragmatic aspects of Pakistani English that contribute to bring lexical changes in it.

How grammatical constructions contribute to responsibility attribution in GBV coverage: a corpus-assisted study

Abstract The portrayal of key participants in gender-based violence (GBV) by the media has been analyzed as ideologically driven by critical discourse analysis (CDA) scholars. Nevertheless, previous studies of media coverage of GBV cases with a CDA approach were confined to qualitative analysis while quantitative evidence was lacking and were perpetrator-oriented without the victim’s perspectives. Addressing these gaps, this study conducted a case analysis of four British newspapers, each representing different political inclinations. Results revealed that the political inclinations did not influence media’s preference for certain constructions. However, the perpetrator was ascribed with a much greater degree of agency in high frequency active constructions. Even in passive and nominal constructions, he was specified more frequently than deleted, contradicting most previous research indicating that the perpetrators were often deleted to conjure away responsibility. We also verified the significance of the context particularly in interpreting the agentless passive and nominal constructions. Further research from diachronic and reader-oriented perspectives should bring more converging evidence.

Pragmatic Perception of Sensationalism: A Comparison of British and Malaysian Online Newspapers Headline Constructions

This study examines the pragmatic features of sensationalist headlines in online newspapers, comparing The Times (UK) and The Star (Malaysia) in 2024. Using discourse analysis on 60 headlines, we investigate how sensationalism shapes public opinion in the digital age. The research addresses a gap in cross-cultural analysis of media influence and aims to enhance media literacy. Results indicate that headline writers employ various pragmatic elements, with speech acts being the most prevalent, to convey intended messages and engage readers. Both overt and implicit use of pragmatic features effectively express themes of victory and liberation across both publications. While the study provides insights into pragma-linguistic strategies in sensational headline construction, its limited sample size suggests the need for broader future research. The findings offer valuable insights for media practitioners, researchers, and consumers, highlighting the importance of critical media consumption in an era of increasing sensationalism.

Under the shadow of occupation: cultural, archaeological, and military activities at Topkapı Palace during the armistice period, 1918–1923

AbstractThis article looks at Topkapı Palace as a showcase reflecting the changing cultural heritage policies of the Allies, as well as of the İstanbul and Ankara governments, during the occupation of İstanbul from 1918 to 1923. It analyzes the military, archaeological, and cultural facets of the occupation, focusing first on the military takeover of the Topkapı gardens, then on the French archaeological mission at the Seraglio, and finally on conflicts over the possession of the imperial treasures and sacred relics. Drawing on primary sources from Ottoman, Turkish, French, and British archives, memoirs, letters, newspapers, and visual material, this article explores the versatility of cultural heritage policies during the occupation and the entangled relations among various power groups, institutions, and actors. The military, strategic, cultural, and historical significance of the royal complex, together with its invaluable imperial collections, made the historic palace a place of rivalry and contestation, as well as deception and cooperation, among various agents and actors, including the Ottoman military and bureaucratic officials, local and foreign archaeologists, the dynastic family, the Interallied government, the occupation forces, and the Turkish resistance forces, ultimately reflecting the military and political empowerment of Ankara.

The Use of Incidental Vocabulary Learning Strategies Among High and Low Proficiency Year 6 ESL Learners

Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLSs) are widely implemented in the learning of English as a second language (ESL). Hence, VLSs are helpful in aiding learners to develop their vocabulary effectively, not only in the classroom but also out-of-classroom, according to the learners' needs. This study aims to investigate the use of vocabulary learning strategies in incidental learning among high and low proficiency Year 6 ESL learners. The sample of this study are 30 Year 6 ESL learners from a primary government school in Bandar Baru Bangi. A mixed method was employed, and purposive sampling was used for this study. Data was collected through a 26-item questionnaire based on Schmitt’s Taxonomy of Vocabulary Learning Strategies Questionnaire (VLSQ) and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicate that high proficiency learners “watch English media” the most and the “use of flashcards” as the least favoured. In contrast, low proficiency learners prefer “asking parents or family members for the meaning of words” and “reading English newspaper, magazines and books” the least. Although no significant differences were found in overall strategy use between high and low proficiency groups, metacognitive strategies were employed significantly more by high proficiency learners. Both high and low proficiency Year 6 ESL learners also perceive technology tools and multimedia as effective for incidental learning by using YouTube, social media platform, online games, use of sub-titles and digital dictionaries. Further research on a larger scale among primary school learners is recommended to inform teachers about the application of vocabulary learning strategies, particularly in incidental learning.

Assessing the Content Relevance of Gender-based Violence News Articles in Tanzanian Newspapers on Reducing the Problem

Aims: The purpose of the study was to assess the content relevance of Gender-based Violence (GBV) news articles in Tanzanian newspapers on reducing the problem. The study applied Agenda setting theory (McCombs and Shaw, 1972) as a leading theory complemented by the Priming theory (Iyengar, Peters, and Kender, 1982) and Framing theory (Gregory Bateson, 1972). Study Design: The study adopted a triangulation approach where both quantitative and qualitative methods and tools were applied. The study was conducted between September 2022 and January 2023 in six regions of Tanzania Mainland (Dodoma, Iringa, Kigoma, Mtwara, Mwanza, and Tanga) and two main Islands of Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba). Methodology: The study was cross-sectional and applied a triangulation approach whereby both qualitative and quantitative research methods were applied in data collection, analysis, and reporting. It involved 161 respondents and 297 copies of five daily newspapers for data. Findings: From the study, it was revealed that GBV content had little relevance. It was scarcely reported; that was, only 2% of GBV articles out of 14,618 were identified. There was also a significant variation in GBV reporting between newspapers - the highest percentage of articles in newspapers was 0.76% and the lowest was 0.06%. In addition, the study revealed sexual violence was reported more frequently 36% and psychological violence less frequently 11%. Furthermore, Kiswahili newspapers carried 80% of all GBV articles compared to 20% of English newspapers. GBV articles were geographically relevant but were not enough to motivate respondents to read newspapers. Hence the majority of the respondents 52% were not satisfied with the usefulness of GBV issues reported in newspapers. Conclusion: The study concluded that most of the contents of GBV articles in the Tanzanian newspapers had little relevance and thus low contribution to reducing GBV in the country. It was therefore recommended that media houses/outlets should think of establishing special GBV reporting desks, investing in investigative reporting of GBV, and considering the recruitment of specialized GBV editors and reporters.

Investigative Reporting Trends in Bangladesh: A Content Analysis of Selected Newspaper

The purpose of this research was to examine the actual state of investigative journalism in Bangladeshi print media. The content analysis method was used to scrutinize the investigative reports, employing both quantitative and thematic approaches. Four daily newspapers - The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Bangladesh Protidin, and Juger Alo - were selected for analysis, with 61 copies from each, totaling 244 newspaper copies. The three national dailies were selected as the most circulated Bangla and English newspapers of Bangladesh according to the department of film and publications (DFP) and the local daily was chosen as per researcher convenience. The theoretical framework for this study utilized the social responsibility theories of the press and agenda-setting theory. The results indicated that a limited number of investigative reports were published in Bangladeshi daily newspapers, with the theme of economy-related issues receiving the most attention in investigative reporting. Concerns were raised regarding the high percentage of anonymous sources (41%) and second-hand investigation (69%), casting doubt on the quality of investigative reporting. Future research could explore a broader perspective of investigative reports through textual analysis conducted over an extended period.