Threats Versus Promises: How the Framing of Concession Appeals in News Coverage Affects Support for Compromise

Abstract

The Israeli–Arab conflict is focused on a struggle over land resources, but it also deeply involves issues related to competing narratives and arguments about who is right or wrong. News media play a crucial role in this often disruptive and violent arena. This study examines how news framing affects support for compromise proposals in this conflict. Jewish Israeli respondents received a news report containing a proposal appealing for peace based on compromise, presented by Arab leaders and framed as either a threat or a promise. Interestingly, respondents indicated greater support for the compromise proposal framed as a threat. In line with our expectations, the perceived trustworthiness of the proposal mediated the effect of the news framing on respondents’ support.