A COMPARATIVE DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF PAKISTANI ENGLISH AND URDU NEWSPAPERS’ HEADLINES

Abstract

The present study aims to explore the discourse presented in the headlines of Pakistani Urdu and English newspaper about a specific news event- Panama Leaks. In this regard, it investigated whether the discourse and the policy of the media is manipulated by the powerful groups of Pakistani society. It has conducted comparative analysis of the discourse of two Urdu and two English Pakistani newspapers’ headlines about Panama Leaks. The collected data is analyzed qualitatively in terms of textual and contextual analysis using the tools of page layout, transitivity, word choice, referential strategies (framing), ideological standpoints, and comparative - synchronic analysis. The findings reveal a disparity in the presentation of media event by Urdu and English newspapers. The study found out that media discourse may not always represent public opinion as it may be exploited to support a particular perspective of the government. In contrast, certain newspapers may also use media discourse to expose the real intentions of the government in a particular news event. The study suggests that it is necessary to expose this exploitation to avoid the manipulation of public opinion and also to provide people with an unbiased and fair news information.