GRICEAN PRAGMATICS IN BBC DISCOURSE ON THE ISRAEL–PALESTINE CONFLICT

Abstract

This study analyzes the application of Grice’s Cooperative Principles in two BBC video discussions on the Israel–Palestine conflict. Using a qualitative exploratory research design, it examines how participants adhered to or violated the maxims of Quality, Quantity, Relation, and Manner. Data were collected from secondary sources through purposive sampling. The findings indicate that while speakers generally complied with Grice’s maxims, the maxim of Quality was violated twice and flouted once, as some responses lacked factual accuracy. In contrast, the maxims of Quantity, Relation, and Manner were consistently observed, resulting in informative, relevant, and clear discourse. These findings contribute to media discourse analysis by illustrating how pragmatic strategies shape mediated narratives. The study also highlights the need for further research on real-time media discourse surrounding the Israel–Palestine conflict to enable audiences to critically evaluate news framing.