CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ARAB MASS MEDIA

ОСОБЕННОСТИ СМИ В АРАБСКИХ СТРАНАХ

Фогель Даниил Константинович

курсант, кафедра перевода и переводоведения, Новосибирский военный ордена Жукова институт имени генерала армии И.К. Яковлева ВНГ ,

РФ, г. Новосибирск

Далецкая Татьяна Анатольевна

научный руководитель, доц. кафедры перевода и переводоведения, Новосибирский военный ордена Жукова институт имени генерала армии И.К. Яковлева ВНГ,

РФ, г. Новосибирск

АННОТАЦИЯ

В статье рассматриваются лингвистические средства, используемые в СМИ арабских стран, и показывается, как культурно-историческое наследие региона взаимодействует с современными технологиями. Особое внимание уделяется динамичному синтезу классических риторических традиций, уходящих корнями в основные литературные и научные школы арабского мира, и современных стратегий информационного воздействия, призванных максимально привлечь внимание аудитории и эффективно донести информацию в быстро меняющейся медиасреде.

ABSTRACT

The article examines the range of linguistic devices used in media across Arab countries, highlighting how the region’s cultural and historical heritage interacts with contemporary technologies. It specifically explores the dynamic synthesis between classical rhetorical traditions – rooted in the Arab world’s major literary and scholarly schools – and present-day strategies of information influence designed to maximize audience attention and convey information effectively in a rapidly changing media environment.

Ключевые слова: СМИ; дискурс арабских СМИ; культура и история; арабский мир; стилистика; изучение хадисов.

Keywords: media; Arab mass media discourse; culture and history; Arab world; stylistics; the Hadith studies.

The stylistics of the Arab media represents a unique synthesis of tradition and innovation, in which centuries-old cultural and historical heritage and the latest media technologies are seamlessly intertwined. Its distinctive feature is the dialectical unity of classical rhetoric, inherited from the great literary and scientific schools of the Arab world, and modern strategies of informational influence, aimed at maximizing audience attention and effectively conveying meanings in a rapidly changing media environment

The origins of this stylistic special feature are in the fundamental traditions of knowledge transfer developed in the Arab culture. Of particular importance is the practice of the Hadith studies, where the Hadith is «corpus of the sayings or traditions of the Prophet Muhammad, revered by Muslims as a major source of religious law and moral guidance» [1]. In these studies, the reliability of information was determined through the strict verification of the chain of transmitters – the isnad (from Arabic sanad, “support”) that is «a list of authorities who have transmitted a report (hadith) of a statement, action, or approbation of Muhammad, of one of his Companions (Ṣaḥābah), or of a later authority (tabiʿī); its reliability determines the validity of a hadith» [2].

This methodology was originally formed in a religiously scholarly environment and effectively laid the foundations for the professional ethics of dealing with information. Thus, an integral part of the Arab media culture is the emphasis on fact-checking, reliance on authoritative sources, and transparency regarding the origin of information.

At the same time, a rich literary heritage had a great impact on developing linguistic and stylistic norms – from the pre‑Islamic poetry, which was famous for its imagery and rich metaphors, to the sacred text of the Quran, that set high standards for expressiveness, the rhythm and tone in speech, and the semantic depth of its formulations. Medieval historiography, in turn, developed skills in the analytical presentation of events, combining narrative with elements of assessment and interpretation, which later found its reflection in the genres of journalism and news reporting. As a result, even laconic news reports in the modern Arabic media often represent high‑level prose: precision of wording coexists with imagery, and factual accuracy with elements of artistic interpretation of reality.

Mass media discourse in the Arab world encompasses a wide range of communication channels – from traditional print publications and terrestrial television to digital platforms, blogs, and social networks, where the speed of information dissemination is combined with the possibility of instant feedback. At the same time, defining the essence and boundaries of mass media discourse remains a non-trivial research task. Its specific feature is determined not only by a set of characteristic genres, styles, and communicative techniques, but also by the high dynamics of transformations caused by technological progress and changes in media consumption.

The variety of platforms, each of which dictates its own rules for presenting material (from the “headline, lead, body” format in online publications to short videos and stories on social media), complicates the task of unifying and classifying discursive practices. Moreover, in different segments of the media environment – from state-owned media to independent digital projects – there are various approaches to selecting topics, the tone of presentation, and the degree of permissible polemical content, which further blurs the clear boundaries of a unified discursive field.

In the context of the Arabic language, mass media discourse acquires a number of stable characteristics that reflect the sociocultural specifics of the region. First and foremost, a deep connection with the religious tradition is evident: Islamic ethics, terminology, and value orientations can be found in public discourse, shaping a particular perspective on the interpretation of events and setting certain limits on what is acceptable in public communication. The political agenda traditionally takes a central place: discussions of government decisions, foreign policy initiatives, the activities of leaders and social movements make up a significant portion of media content, which is due both to the historical role of public discourse in the Arab culture and to the relevance of socio-political processes in the region.

Cultural features of the Arabic mass media are considered collective values, respect for hierarchy and traditions, as well as the use of culturally marked images, allusions and quotations that are understandable to a wide audience and enhance the emotional impact of the text.

The formal register, that is characteristic of literary Arabic, remains dominant in most authoritative media, where grammatical accuracy, stylistic precision and adherence to the norms of classical syntax are valued. At the same time, new media are characterized by a tendency towards partial simplification of the language and the inclusion of colloquial speech elements, which reflects the desire to make content more accessible and relevant to a younger audience.

Finally, an important feature of the modern Arab mass media discourse is its polyphony. There are various viewpoints, expert positions, and narratives in the public environment, that testifies to the pluralism of opinions and the development of a public debate culture. The change of the Arabic public and the Arabic media can be characterized by the effects of a new Arab social, cultural and political practice that is influenced by the new information and communication technologies, especially by the Global Virtual Environment.

The study of the Arabic mass media discourse is of considerable scientific and practical interest. It allows us not only to gain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind the formation of public opinion and the ways in which the audience is influenced, but also to trace the evolution of linguistic norms in the context of digital transformation.

Furthermore, the analysis of discursive strategies contributes to the development of media literacy and critical thinking, helping the audience to distinguish between facts and interpretations, identify hidden meanings, and assess the reliability of sources. In the context of globalization and the growing intercultural interaction, understanding the specifics of the Arabic media discourse is an important element of effective communication and building dialogue between different cultural communities.

References:

1. Sayeed, Asma. Sayeed, Asma. «Hadith». Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Sep. 2026. [Электронный ресурс]. – Режим доступа. // Encyclopedia Britannica. – URL: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hadith (дата обращения: 08.06.2026).
2. Britannica Editors. «isnād». Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Mar. 2021. [Электронный ресурс]. – Режим доступа. // Encyclopedia Britannica. – URL: https://www.britannica.com/topic/isnad (дата обращения: 08.06.2026).