An evaluation of the Gaza blockade issue on international news websites in the context of public diplomacy (CNN, BBC, TRT World, Al-Jazeera)

This study examines how international news websites dealt with the issues of the blockade of Gaza in the context of public diplomacy. The purpose of this study is to determine how the international media (BBC, CNN, TRT world, Al-Jazeera) have framed the Gaza blockade issue in a four-year period (2018-2021). To fulfil this purpose and respond to the main research question; "How has the international media framed the Gaza blockade issues?" has been discussed in the context of framing theory. This study used content analysis to examine the frameworks of news used by websites to address Gaza blockade issues. The results have revealed that conflict frames are commonly utilized on news sites, and it has shown that news sites are reliant on Palestinian and Israeli officials as significant news actors. CNN and BBC have mostly used Israeli actors, while Al-Jazeera and TRT World have used Palestinian actors. On the other hand, humanitarian frames have not gotten significant attention from news sites. It has been observed that international attitudes, views, and policies towards the blockade of Gaza differ considering the reflection of international policies and ideologies in the media and external policies for countries. Key word: News Framing, Gaza Blockade, International News Sites, Public Diplomacy.