Adaptive Representation of Social Crises in the Television Networks of the Kurdistan Region and the Islamic Republic of Iran
Keywords:
Social crisis, weaknesses, strengths, Kurdistan Region, Islamic Republic of IranAbstract
In the contemporary world, media, particularly television, play a fundamental role in shaping public opinion and representing social crises. This study analyzes the representation of social crises in the television networks of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, aiming to compare the manner in which crises are covered and reflected in the television media of these two regions. The research employs a descriptive-analytical method using content analysis of programs and news reports from two major television networks in each region. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with journalists, media officials, and crisis experts and were coded and analyzed using MAXQDA software. The findings indicate that the coverage of social crises in both regions is influenced by specific political, social, and cultural factors, leading to significant differences in crisis representation. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, media are predominantly state-controlled, resulting in censorship of information and a one-sided portrayal of crises. In contrast, in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, media enjoy greater freedom in crisis coverage, stemming from political and social diversity and the influence of Kurdish policies. However, they still face challenges such as limited access to reliable information sources and infrastructural issues. This study examines the impact of these differences on public perception of crises and people's interactions with media, with findings that could assist media policymakers in both regions in improving crisis coverage quality and crisis management.
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