Critical Discourse Analysis of Radicalized Groups’ Alternative Media Content in Pakistan

Abstract

The militant groups TTP and TTP JA used alternative media for the circulation of their radicalized narratives among the targeted audience. This study aimed to critically analyzed the discourse created by the militant groups in its pamphlets. For the purpose the pamphlets issued from May 2014 to May 2015 were analyzed. The collected samples were divided in two categories for analysis and the Fairclough 3-D Critical Discourse Analysis Model was used for the analysis of the texts. The investigation revealed that most of the militant groups pamphlets was created as counter strategy to the mainstream media and its narratives. The research found that the text generated by TTP and TTP JA most of the time create confusion, dissonance and fear in the minds of the targeted audience. The CDA revealed that militant groups has used hate terms like ‘Napak,’ ‘Murtad’ and others for government and military frequently in its discourse. They metaphors like ‘Kufr’ and ‘Shirk’ used in the pamphlets issued against democracy. The militants’ discourses challenged the commonly accepted beliefs of the society about religious concepts, democracy, government and forces which caused intense dissonance and confusions. Some of the texts were clear in broader social context but due its language, warning or threating tone, harsh terms, resulted fear in the society.