The Role of the Media in the Policymaking of Inter-basin Water Transfer: A Case Study of the Zab River to Lake Urmia

 The inter-basin water-transfer plan, considering the natural and human characteristics of both source and destination areas, can yield diverse economic, environmental, social, political, and security consequences. Such a project often provokes reactions among watershed inhabitants especially upstream communities resulting in varying perceptions and responses to these impacts. One of the key tools for shaping public perception is the media.This study examines the media’s impact on the consequences of the inter-basin water transfer from the Zab River to Lake Urmia. Adopting a qualitative, grounded theory approach, data were collected via semistructured interviews with 26 purposively sampled elites, officials, and informed stakeholders from both the source and destination regions. Content analysis conducted through open, axial, and selective coding—revealed five core categories: (1) national divergence; (2) public opinion persuasion; (3) political participation; (4) restorative media; and (5) the media–security–politics nexus.Findings show that, by employing various framing strategies and discursive practices, media outlets orient stakeholders’ perceptions in ways that facilitate acceptance or resistance as well as sociopolitical participation or protest toward the transfer project. The study recommends strengthening local and restorative media, enhancing transparency, and promoting public engagement as critical measures to reduce tensions and foster convergence.