CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS IN CNN PORTRAYAL OF U.S. - ISRAEL BILATERAL RELATION IN THE CASE OF PALESTINE CONFLICT DURING TRUMP ADMINISTRATION (2017-2020)

Abstract

U.S – Israel bilateral relations is one of the most important cooperation of the U.S. even before Israel's independence in 1948, especially in Trump administration, marked by the U.S. embassy moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Media coverage of the U.S. - Israel bilateral relations on the Palestinian conflict has shown imbalances in its coverage. CNN was chosen as the main viewpoint of the media to be studied in this research. This research uses Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as a method and the theories used are the critical IR theory as the main framework and gatekeeping theory to explain media and international relations in this case. This research found that there was a CNN pro-Israel bias mixed with criticism in covering the U.S. – Israel bilateral relations regarding the Palestinian conflict in Trump administration and the relations between the media and international relations are not in a simple causal relations, but rather complex relationships involving the government, media and the public to create a fair and healthy democratic environment.