The semiotics of the press image and its role in enhancing the cultural identity of Diriyah: An analytical study of the images in the Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s account on X platform

Mohamed Almania, Ali

doi:10.21608/jkom.2025.419303

The semiotics of the press image and its role in enhancing the cultural identity of Diriyah: An analytical study of the images in the Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s account on X platform

Author

Ali Mohamed Almania

College of Media & Communication, Imam Mohamed Ibn Saud Islamic University, KSA

10.21608/jkom.2025.419303

Abstract

This study sought to analyse the press photos in the Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s account on the X platform from a semiotic perspective, and to reveal their visual and symbolic connotations, and their role in enhancing the cultural and historical identity of Diriyah.
The study adopted the qualitative approach using the semiological analysis tool in analysing the press photos of the study sample, which consisted of seven photos from the Diriyah Gate Development Authority’s account. The study adopted the Roland Barthes’ Approach, due to its comprehensiveness, in-depth analysis, and ability to examine the meanings and connotations expressed by the photos.
Many results were achieved by the study. The most important of which is that the Diriyah Gate Development Authority attaches great importance to cultural and historical dimensions in publishing press photos on its account on X platform. Thus, the semiological analysis of the images showed the use of many symbols and signs that formed a distinctive feature, including the use of historical symbols and colours that are associated with the local environment, as well as the use of lighting in a captivating way that conveys the contents of the image.
The results of the study also confirmed that press photos represented a powerful tool in promoting the cultural identity of Diriyah, as they were used to highlight the historical and cultural events and document historical monuments. These constituted the cultural messages that acquainted generations with the history of the Saudi State since its establishment, and carried in their embodied meanings the connotations of pride and honour in the values of courage, sacrifice and unity established by the Imams and Kings of the Saudi State.

Keywords

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