Conflict in Iraqi political talk programs

Abstract

The study highlights the importance of examining the use of fabricated conflict as a stylistic device in Iraqi satellite television programs, focusing specifically on Zagros TV and UTV. Fabricated conflict is considered an engaging element that satellite channels employ to capture viewers’ attention and draw them toward the presented content. These channels often extract segments featuring conflict from within the program and publish them on their affiliated social media platforms. Given the effectiveness of such clips in increasing episode viewership, this technique has become a common strategy in talk shows.

The researcher employed content analysis as the primary methodological tool, selecting 71 episodes with a total duration of 4,660 minutes, covering a period of one and a half years—from June 2022 to February 2024. A purposive sampling method was used to select specific episodes from talk shows that include evident conflict, particularly from the programs "Al-Haq Yuqal" (Truth Be Told) with Adnan Al-Taie and "Bwodouh" (Clearly) with Mohammed Jabbar.

The study reached several significant conclusions, including the following:

The most prominent form of conflict in talk shows is heated debate, which is characterized by tension and controversy among participants. Emotionally reactive individuals who frequently interrupt the dialogue tend to dominate a larger portion of the airtime during conflict segments, which in turn affects the overall effectiveness of the discussion. The duration of conflict is largely influenced by the amount of time allocated to each guest by the program host. Moreover, the deliberate selection of emotionally charged guests by television channels reflects a clear intent to generate dramatic and provocative conflicts within the program.