Between Helplessness and Hostility

Analyzing CNN’s Racialized Framing of Palestinians in Crisis

Abstract

This essay critically examines CNN’s portrayal of Palestinians during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, focusing on how Orientalist and racialized narratives shape public perceptions of Palestinian identity. The analysis argues that CNN’s coverage perpetuates stereotypes by framing Palestinians as either passive victims or violent aggressors, depending on the context. This dual framing obscures the political and historical complexities of the genocide, reducing Palestinians to dehumanized subjects within a broader narrative that privileges Western power and perspectives. Specific linguistic choices, such as references to Gaza’s population density and restricted mobility, normalize suffering and present the crisis as an inherent consequence of cultural or regional factors rather than systemic oppression. Additionally, the essay critiques the use of humanitarian language, which reinforces perceptions of Palestinians as
dependent on international aid while simultaneously undermining their agency and self-determination. These portrayals align with dominant ideological narratives that justify foreign intervention, perpetuate power imbalances, and frame the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in ways that uphold existing global hierarchies. By deconstructing these framing strategies, the essay highlights the role of even the ‘liberal’ media in reinforcing Orientalist ideologies and calls for are imagining of journalistic practices to promote justice, equity, and agency. This analysis contributes to the ongoing critique of media representations of marginalized groups and underscores the need for narratives that challenge stereotypes and promote a deeper understanding of the conflict’s root causes.