“Day 3… Still alive ..” - The Impact of Personalised Journalism in Modern Conflict Reporting

Abstract

This thesis is a study of the role of Palestinian war reporters during the Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, events, and how their use of social media, especially Instagram, has contributed to the reification of a multifaceted and passionate narration of the war, allowing the reporters to become central figures in the news narrative itself. The research highlights how the evolving media landscape places new demands on journalists, who must navigate the dual pressures of advocacy and market forces while maintaining their professional credibility. The advent of social media and phenomena such as personalisation has raised significant questions about objectivity and the ethical responsibilities of journalists, particularly when their work is consumed and shared across social media platforms. This study analyses the works of key Palestinian journalists using established theories of mediatisation and commodification in journalism. Additionally, it considers the implications of these trends for the broader field of journalism, particularly in the context of conflicts that attract significant global attention. The material in this study includes detailed content analysis of social media posts and news reports from the selected journalists, alongside theoretical insights from prior research on personalised journalism and conflict reporting. The study found that the personal and emotionally charged narratives of these reporters significantly influenced both local and global perceptions of the conflict, suggesting that the future of conflict journalism may increasingly blur the lines between reporting and advocacy. Ultimately, this thesis argues that while personalised journalism offers a powerful tool for engaging audiences and humanizing complex issues, it also presents challenges for maintaining journalistic independence and objectivity, especially when inserted in modern market dynamics. As the academic

understanding of these trends continues to develop, future research may provide further guidance on how journalists can balance these competing demands.