Developing a News Coverage Model for Cultural Events in Iraq in Arab Electronic Press

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the aim of designing and explaining a model of news coverage in Arab electronic press regarding cultural events in Iraq. Considering the multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and culturally diverse context of Iraq, the media coverage of cultural events in Arabic-language outlets is not only a reflection of cultural realities but also a mechanism for the reproduction of meaning, identity, and social discourses. This research adopts a mixed qualitative–quantitative approach and employs Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory methodology. In this study, 15 in-depth interviews were conducted with experts in the fields of media and culture, and thematic analysis was utilized to extract conceptual codes and categories. The findings indicated that the media coverage of Iraq's cultural events follows a paradigmatic model comprising five key components: Causal conditions (e.g., the necessity of representing cultural identity after security crises), Intervening conditions (such as political and economic pressures), Contextual conditions (including Iraq’s multilayered cultural landscape and media structure), Strategies (like narrative-centered coverage and audience engagement), and Consequences (such as increased cultural literacy and the consolidation of the media’s role in cultural representation). The final model offers a systematic framework for understanding the processes of cultural representation in Arabic-language media and holds potential applicability in media policymaking, cultural journalism education, and strengthening Iraq’s cultural diplomacy.