A Pragmatic Study of Media Disinformation: Yemeni Conflict as a Representative

Abstract

The concept of disinformation is widely spread in media discourse, particularly in relation to the Yemeni conflict. The study examines the impact of media coverage on shaping an unfavorable disinformation among the population by Al-Hadath satellite channel. Regarding the channel, it exhibits hostility towards the Houthi government in Yemen and shows support for the opposing party. In terms of linguistic means, the study aims to examine media disinformation in order to identify the pragmatic tools employed to fabricate this disinformation and deceive the audience with a false version of the truth. The data under scrutiny represent selected an interview and a news report that are broadcasted by  Al-Hadath satellite channel. The study adopts two models to examine media disinformation: the first one is an ideological (Van Dijk, 1998), aiming at investigating ideology behind media disinformation while the second is an eclectic pragmatic model, including Levinson (1983) and Yule (1996), aiming at analyzing the pragmatic strategies, particularly the types and triggers of presuppositions. Ultimately, the study concludes that the media discourse of Al-Hadath satellite channel addressing the Yemeni conflict is disinforming, as it seeks to vilify the Houthi government and create a negative impression of them among the public by highlighting fabricated negative features.

Keywords: Pragmatics; media; disinformation; presupposition; Yemeni conflict.