Discursive Contention: Palestinian Media Discourse and the Inception of the “First” Intifada

Abstract

The framing process of political opportunity to act contentiously is examined as a unique type of interaction between news media and social movements, where media institutions act as a forum for reflecting and constructing oppositional views to unfolding political processes. The case of Palestinian contention during the run-up to the “first” Intifada is employed to illustrate the role of “mobilized print media” in framing of opportunity to act contentiously. Findings from content analysis data suggest that (a) during 1987, there is a significant, gradual increase in calls for action and (b) a converging process between various newspapers, representing various political factions within the Palestinian movement, develops regarding a shared framing of ripe political conditions to increase mobilization.