A master thesis from Aalborg University
Media Framing of U.S. University and Student Responses to the Israel-Hamas War
Author(s)
Term
4. semester
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-05-29
Abstract
Amidst the landscape of the Middle East, the Israel-Hamas war has shattered a decade-long period of relative peace in the region. It has brought renewed attention to entrenched political tensions, sparking global discourse and widespread protests, including significant activism on college campuses. The war has been particularly contentious due to the devastating impact on Gaza, where the humanitarian crisis has reached dire levels amid heavy suffering and devastating numbers of civilian deaths. This thesis examines media framing of university and student group activities in response to the initial outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, focusing on mainstream American media outlets (CNN, New York Times, Newsweek, FOX News, and New York Post) and university-specific newspapers (The Harvard Crimson, The Daily Pennsylvanian, and Columbia Daily Spectator). Rooted in agenda-setting theory and the concept of framing, the research aims to uncover the diverse framings presented by different media outlets. Utilizing a qualitative frame analysis, this study examines diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational frames across the outlets. By examining and comparing the distinct framings, the findings reveal the nuanced landscape of media representation. Results of the analysis reveal a multifaceted portrayal of university and student responses to the Israel-Hamas war across media outlets. Variations emerge in how events are portrayed, with left-leaning and right-leaning media displaying biases, while university-specific outlets provide perspectives grounded in campus experiences. Overall, the study highlights the role of media in shaping public discourse and perceptions, demonstrating the complex interplay between media representation, university activism, and global conflicts. It contributes to the understanding of media dynamics in contemporary conflicts and underscores the importance of critical media literacy in navigating diverse narratives.
Keywords
Documents
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