This research aims to understand how Middle Eastern issues are addressed in talk shows on foreign Arabic-speaking channels, taking “France 24 Arabic” as a model. It seeks to determine the channel’s level of attention to Middle Eastern issues in talk shows, the nature of the guests invited, the methods used to address the issues, and the professional characteristics of the program host. The study is descriptive-analytical in nature and relies on content analysis of episodes of the weekly talk show “A Week in the World” on France 24 during the period from August 1, 2017, to July 31, 2018. The main findings indicate that foreign Arabic-speaking channels pay attention to covering Middle Eastern issues, especially political and military topics. The results also show that the channel prioritizes coverage of the Syrian issue, relies on writers to address the Middle Eastern topics discussed, particularly opponents of the issue, and demonstrates a balance in the distribution of time among guests. The host does not intervene in the discussion of the issues and provides sufficient time for guests to address the topics. Additionally, the host does not guide the guest’s answers according to what the channel deems appropriate, and the coverage relies primarily on political frameworks in addressing the issues.
This work is licensed under a