Applying Johan Galtung's ABC Three Triangle Conflict on the Israeli Forces Invasion at Gaza Palestine: A Comparative Analysis Reuters and Al Jazeera Editorial News Reporting

Abstract

This study applies Johan Galtung's Conflict Triangle model to conduct a comparative analysis of news framing in Reuters and Al Jazeera's coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Focusing on the three dimensions of Attitudes (perceptions), Behaviors (actions), and Contradictions (structural causes), the research employs qualitative content analysis of 20 editorial articles (10 from each outlet) published during key conflict events in 2024. The investigation reveals how each news agency's ideological and geopolitical positioning shapes its narrative construction of the conflict. The findings demonstrate significant divergences in framing strategies. Reuters maintains an ostensibly neutral yet state-centric perspective, prioritizing coverage of military Behaviors such as airstrikes and diplomatic maneuvers while minimizing structural Contradictions through terminology like "disputed territories." Conversely, Al Jazeera emphasizes emotional narratives (Attitudes) and root causes (Contradictions), frequently characterizing Israeli actions as "aggression" and highlighting themes of occupation and colonial legacy. Quantitative analysis using a 0-2 scoring scale reveals Al Jazeera's stronger emphasis on Attitudes (1.8 vs. Reuters' 0.9) and Contradictions (1.8 vs. 0.5), with comparable attention to Behaviors (1.6 vs. 1.5). These contrasting approaches reflect deeper institutional alignments: Reuters with Western diplomatic frameworks and Al Jazeera with postcolonial counter-narratives. The study underscores how media representations perpetuate conflict dynamics through selective framing, contributing to ongoing debates about media bias in international conflicts. By validating Galtung's model as an effective analytical framework for media discourse, the research highlights the need for critical media literacy among audiences to navigate polarized conflict reporting. The findings emphasize the responsibility of news organizations in conflict representation and suggest directions for future research on media's role in peacebuilding processes.

Keywords: Media Framing, Conflict Reporting, Johan Galtung’s ABC Triangle, Israel-Palestine Conflict, Reuters vs. Al Jazeera, Discourse Analysis, Ideological Bias