Media text and public discourse in the Middle East : reactions to the Camp David summit

It is self-evident that the media play a role in politics, be it direct or indirect. This research will focus on the contextualization of the messages embedded in media texts and their relationship to society. This study will focus on op-ed articles published in five Middle Eastern newspapers at the conclusion of the Camp David peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians in July 2000. An analysis of these texts provides insight into political and media environments, national attitudes and agendas, as well as reveals political alliances and hostilities. The comparative nature of this research illustrates the diversity of thought and perception in the Middle East, particularly among Arab countries which are too often depicted as one entity - the Arab world. Likewise, it highlights inherent conflicts within the democratic governments of Israel and Turkey as national interests clash with the democratic nature of public discourse.