THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN CHANGING PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ISIL CRISIS IN IRAQ (Case study of Al-Iraqiya news satellite channels)

This study aims to identify the role of the media in changing public opinion to the ISIL crisis in Iraq and is considered as a survey study and the researcher tries to answer the questions that arise in the shadow of the problem by using the research method of content analysis. The main question is how much al-Iraqiya news channel has contributed to changing public opinion on the ISIL crisis in Iraq.

To achieve the purpose of the research, the student used analysis to select a sample of images to examine the attitude of public opinion. This dissertation has reached several conclusions, the most important of which are:

Iraqi channels have a high viewing ratio during terrorist operations, and this is due to the audience’s trust in these channels in the event of terrorist explosions or emergencies for information.Evenings are a great time for those looking for information, especially after a long day at the news.Evenings are also considered to be the peak times of attention.

Al Iraqiya Channel is the most popular channel among the popular channels in Iraq.The results showed that the reason for the superiority of one network over another is in the first place the immediate coverage of events; Providing explanation and analysis of terrorist incidents, providing information required by the audience and providing information about the course of events are secondary reasons for the superiority of one network over other networks.

As the ratio of the importance of each is 20%, and this means that the reason for preferring a network by the study sample, is the information function of television networks, which contributes to shaping people’s attitudes toward terrorist issues.According to the results of this study, the image that has been formed in the minds of the audience through the coverage of terrorist incidents on Iraqi satellite channels primarily considers the aim of terrorist groups to be killing and escalating violence and this view is formed in the context of judgment based on the behavior and activities of these groups.

Secondly, there are audiences who have said that Iraqi networks reflect armed groups in a way that sees them as groups carrying out foreign orders and conspiracies aimed at disrupting security and stability in Iraq.People with this view are the second largest group in terms of numbers. Third are those who see terrorist groups as militias to incite sectarianism and escalate violence and hatred. But those who believe that a clear picture of armed groups cannot be drawn are the fourth.