An analysis of yemeni online journalism discourse on the covid-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

This study investigates how Yemeni online journalism has dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. The study analyzes four of online news websites that represent the various political actors in Yemen. These websites include Al-Thawra Net (Sana’a and Riyadh editions), Al-Sahwa Net, and Aden Today. The researchers use both quantitative and qualitative content analysis methods. The study found that Al-Thawra Net (the Sana’a edition) dealt the most with pandemic-related news, followed by Al-Sahwa Net, Al-Thawra Net (Riyadh version), and then Aden Alyoum. It concludes that all parties used the pandemic for political ends, considering it an opportunity to mobilize Yemeni public opinion, exchange accusations among themselves, blame each other, and hold the “Other” responsible for spreading the virus. Conspiracy theories were remarkably present in the news discourse, such as the belief that the virus was being manufactured in laboratories to harm people and gain financial benefits by selling the vaccine. Rumors were being spread and embraced, while fact-checking was noticeably absent in some cases. © 2021, American University in Cairo. All rights reserved.