Propaganda styles in talk shows on Iraqi satellite channels: Analytical study in the game of chairs program on Al-Sharqiya News Channel

Abstract

Talk shows occupy great importance in satellite channels in general and in Iraq in particular, especially
after the great development that took place in the means of communication represented in satellite
broadcasting, which helped the producers of these programs to host various personalities of different
affiliations, which helped the viewer obtain information from its original sources in a way direct and
continuous. Based on the foregoing, we determined the topic of the research. Addressing a program
broadcast on an Iraqi channel to learn about the propaganda styles used in it. Through a comprehensive
inventory method for all episodes of the program (Game of Chairs) on Al Sharqiya News Channel for the
period from 10/25/2020 to 01/25/ 2021. This is the period that witnessed several crises and important
political, economic and social events in the Iraqi issue that were dealt with by Iraqi channels. The total
number of episodes that were subjected to analysis reached (91) episodes in Al-Sharqiya News Channel.
The content analysis method in preparing the analysis form to analyze the program’s episodes, with its
two parts (what was said) and (how was it said).
The research came out with several conclusions, the most important of which are:
Most of the topics that the program focused on were about the economic, political and regional crises,
including the demonstrations and the demands of the demonstrators, and did not focus on how to treat
them. It indicates the absence of well-studied plans by the concerned authorities. It was also emphasized
by the hosted personalities, especially the governmental ones, on the issues concerned with uncontrolled
weapons and political money used by militias affiliated with political parties. It indicates that the purpose
of addressing such issues is to weaken the government and the prestige of the state in implementing the
law. As well as emphasizing the methods of incitement and misinformation with false information in some
episodes presented by the program to change the public's attitudes about some of the issues raised.