Arabic language topics in Al Arab Qatari newspaper: a study in journalistic treatment patterns

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore the patterns of journalistic treatments for issues of Arab Language in Al Arab Qatari newspaper during the year of 2017. It also seeks to understand the degree to which this journalistic behavior enhances Qatar National identity. The importance of this research, which is funded by Qatar National Research Fund, No, UREP21-095-5-009 is to test the relationship between journalistic practices in relation to coverage Arabic language issues and national identity. As interdisciplinary research combining Arabic language and journalism studies, its data were gathered by students of Arabic and Mass Communication Departments. The study adopted the descriptive and analytical approach to explore a sample of 841 publications that covered 10 linguistic forms including folk literature, translation, sermon, thought, novel, narration, poetry, story, drama and others as well as 6 editorial forms including investigative report, news report, dialogue, news, article, feature story and others. We analyze both the editorial content and the layout treatment. The results showed a statistical significance in the use of different editorial forms to demonstrate the Arabic language topics in Al Arab Qatari newspaper as well as the use of different layout techniques such as positioning, size, headline style and the accompanying visual elements. Future studies can compare the influence of different journalistic practices on national identity.