A Discourse Analysis of Media Coverage on Mahsa Amini’s Death: Exploring Modality, Figurative Language, and Connotation

This research examines the media discourse surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman whose controversial death in police custody sparked widespread protests and global media coverage. Drawing on Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), the study investigates how language in media narratives reflects and reinforces power dynamics, ideologies, and social inequalities. By analyzing modality, figurative language, and connotation in editorials from diverse outlets, the research reveals the linguistic strategies used to frame the incident and shape public perception. The study highlights the role of media in constructing sociopolitical realities and offers insights into the influence of media language on global issues of human rights, gender equality, and cultural conflict.