Discourse: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies

Framing the Ban on Afghan Girls’ Education in Mass Media: A Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis

Shamsullah Arab — 2026-01-12

This qualitative study utilized Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) approach to examine how mass media framed the ban on Afghan girls’ education through both linguistic and visual elements. The study examined how textual choices, imagery, and text-image relationships shaped narratives of oppression and exclusion by analyzing reports from Al Jazeera, The Associated Press, and The Afghan Times. The findings revealed that these mass media employed specific linguistic strategies such as overlexicalization, quantification, and structural oppositions to emphasize the systemic nature of the ban. Simultaneously, visual elements, including gaze, composition, and lighting, reinforced these narratives, shaping public perception of the issue. In addition to this, the analysis highlighted the role of multimodal discourse in constructing ideological frameworks that influences societal attitudes.

Antitrust Companies for Bigger Challenges

Nur Aifiah Ibrahim — 2026-01-25

Antitrust challenges have increasingly shaped competitive dynamics across industries, particularly affecting small and low-income firms that struggle to coexist with dominant market players. This study introduces the intersection of antitrust regulation, corporate strategy, and innovation, emphasizing ethical leadership, motivational governance, and sustainable growth amid regulatory pressure. It highlights how companies navigate competition through adaptive business models, collaborative missions, and market-driven resilience, with particular attention to the food industry’s global landscape. Cultural preservation, regulatory compliance, and strategic diversification emerge as critical factors influencing firm survival and expansion. Drawing on international contexts—including the United States, Korea, and Indonesia—the introduction frames antitrust enforcement as both a constraint and a catalyst for innovation. Ultimately, the paper positions antitrust challenges not merely as legal obstacles but as opportunities for redefining competitiveness, equity, and long-term sustainability within modern capitalist economies.

Social Interaction within the Madrasah Environment and Students’ Achievement in Aqidah Akhlak

Nur Asiah Hasibuan — 2026-02-26

This study aims to examine the influence of social interaction within the madrasah environment on students’ learning achievement in Aqidah Akhlak among Grade XII Science students at MAS 13 Muhammadiyah Sei Rampah. The research employed a quantitative approach using a correlational research design. Data were collected through questionnaires, classroom observations, and documentation of students’ academic scores. Statistical analyses included validity and reliability testing, classical assumption tests, t-test, F-test, and coefficient of determination (R²). The findings indicate that social interaction within the madrasah environment has a positive and statistically significant effect on students’ learning achievement in Aqidah Akhlak (p < 0.05). The quality of interaction between teachers and students, as well as among peers, contributes substantially to academic performance. Improved communicative and participatory engagement in the classroom corresponds with higher levels of achievement in Aqidah Akhlak. This study highlights the importance of fostering a supportive, communicative, and religiously grounded social environment in madrasah settings, as social interaction not only enhances academic outcomes but also strengthens students’ religious character formation.