Analysis of Popular Science Shows: A Critical Discourse Perspective
The research paper analyzed the discourse of popular science shows, focusing on the program Addaheeh, which addresses scientific issues with religious-scientific dialectics. The findings revealed that Addaheeh uses language and discourse strategies that exercise epistemic authority on viewers, impose ideologies, and inculcate viewers with a biased perspective on religiously controversial and scientifically unsettled issues. The analysis was conducted using Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) model, which revealed the host’s biased approach and ideological hegemony over viewers.
The paper highlighted the importance of critically analyzing the content of popular science shows, especially in the context of the Arab world where religion plays a significant role in society. It also discussed the challenges of balancing scientific content with entertainment value on digital platforms like YouTube. The research findings shed light on the need for viewers to critically evaluate the information presented in popular science shows and not rely solely on them as a source of scientific knowledge.
Overall, the paper emphasized the role of critical discourse analysis in uncovering hidden biases and ideological influences in media content, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like science and religion. It called for a more nuanced and balanced approach to presenting scientific information on digital platforms to ensure that viewers are not misled or influenced by biased perspectives.