Analysis of the resistance discourse of Palestinian media professionals via Facebook in the 2023 Gaza War (Wael Al-Dahdouh's personal page as an example

ELFOULI, HISHAM

doi:10.21608/jsb.2025.350284.1870

Analysis of the resistance discourse of Palestinian media professionals via Facebook in the 2023 Gaza War (Wael Al-Dahdouh's personal page as an example

Document Type : Original Article

Author

HISHAM ELFOULI

Aswan University

10.21608/jsb.2025.350284.1870

Abstract

The research aimed to monitor and analyze the resistance discourse of Palestinian media professionals via Facebook in the 2023 Gaza War. A descriptive analytical approach was used as a model for the personal page of media professional Wael Al-Dahdouh, director of Al Jazeera’s office in Gaza. The tools of objective discourse analysis were employed according to the Van Dijk model, and the semiotic analysis of the page’s content of texts, images, videos, and interactivity in light of the public domain theory. Big data tools (Python language) were used to collect data for the intentional sample over a year, starting from Operation Flood of Al-Aqsa on October 7, 2023. It included (78) posts, and reached the most important results:
_ Increased interactivity and follow-up from the audience following Wael Al-Dahdouh’s page after the martyrdom of a number of his family and colleagues. _ Wael Al-Dahdouh's commitment to the rules and professional safety, in addition to his psychological steadfastness as a citizen and a journalist, was reflected in the audience following him with support, considering him a symbol of media and digital resistance and describing him with terms such as Mount Gaza, Mujahid Abu Hamza, Mandela of the media, the solid rock, the candle of Gaza, the lion of the Levant, and the lantern of Palestine.
_ The speeches focused on topics, most of which were live and immediate coverage of Israeli attacks by land, sea and air on civilians, hospitals, ambulances, nurseries, shelters and rescue operations, and then targeting media professionals, the martyrdom of Al-Dahdouh's family, and the steadfastness against the aggression and the humanitarian positions towards him in the Strip.
_ Forms of resistance emerged in the immediate coverage and documentation of the crimes of the Israeli occupation with text, images and videos, the use of hashtags, reels, highlighting emotional appeals to the personal tragedy of Al-Dahdouh or the people of the Strip, humanitarian stances, and appeals to steadfastness until victory, with religious supplications and commemorating the martyrs, and spreading common terms and slogans related to the war

Keywords

Main Subjects

The new media

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