The aim of this chapter is to provide an in-depth textual analysis of the coverage of the conflict between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006. Based on this analysis we will try to establish the inextricable link between language and the sociocultural and political ideologies that contribute to the production of discourse. Some of these ideologies are represented through language. Language as a means of communication can be used to influence opinion and change readers' attitudes, especially during conflicts. Such an influence could have a great impact on theway we perceive others, and could have detrimental effects on the harmony of different groups or different nations. In this chapter, I will shed some light on the theoretical frameworks which underpin my analysis. Examining the coverage of the conflict from a critical perspective will enable us to unravel the social, cultural, political and ideological motives behind the production of discourse.

I shall compare and contrast the usage of language by the three Arabic channels, Al-Jazeera, Al-Arabiya and Al-Hurra, and provide a textual analysis of language extracts from the three channels which will take into consideration different contextual factors that contribute to the production and consumption of discourse. I will draw on critical discourse analysis (CDA) as a framework for my analysis of the discourse practices of the above channels. The following section introduces the reader to the phenomenon of discourse analysis and critical discourse analysis.