The Message Strategies of Saudi Arabia?s Image Restoration Campaign after 9/11.

Now more than ever countries are interested in maintaining their national images. Scholars are increasingly turning their attention to this new and important site for public relations. However, just like other organizations, countries at times face threats to their image, crises that are capable of being addressed with image repair discourse. This paper applies Image Restoration Discourse to Saudi Arabia's attempt to repair its damaged reputation after the tragic events of 9/11. It was accused of supporting terrorism and of failing to support a possible U.S. attack on Iraq. Relying heavily on denial and bolstering, the image repair effort was partially successful at dispelling the first concern; was notably less effective in responding to the second accusation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]