Media Ownership Structures and Ethnic Polarization: A Comparative Content Analysis of Crisis Framing

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 5, No. 2, February 2014 | pp. 334–342

DOI: 10.46882/2014/GJPCS/000059

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Media Ownership Structures and Ethnic Polarization: A Comparative Content Analysis of Crisis Framing

Names of Authors: Kenji Takahashi¹, Alisa Milosevic²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan; ²Department of Journalism, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract: Abstract: Mass media platforms can function either as objective pillars of peace journalism or as significant drivers of social polarization during deep ethno-political crises. This study presents a comparative content analysis of crisis framing across print and digital media networks under different ownership structures. We analyzed 900 news reports published during periods of heightened political tension between 2010 and 2012 using standard content analysis software protocols. Media framing was categorized into war journalism markers (escalation-oriented, elite-centric) and peace journalism markers (conciliatory, citizen-centric). The empirical results demonstrate that media channels owned directly by political elites rely significantly on sensationalist war journalism framing, which accounts for 78% of their total content. Quantitative analysis reveals that increases in exclusionary media frames correlate with measurable spikes in out-group hostility scores among targeted readers (r = 0.61, p < 0.01). The paper concludes that political control over media funding streams systematically compromises journalist independence. The study recommends establishing decentralized, community-funded media platforms to promote inclusive peace narratives.

Keywords: Media Ownership, Ethnic Polarization, Crisis Framing, Content Analysis, Peace Journalism, Information Manipulation, Divided Societies

Manuscript Timeline: Received: September 05, 2013; Revised: November 12, 2013; Accepted: December 15, 2013; Published: February 18, 2014

Citation: Takahashi, K., & Milosevic, A. (2014). Media Ownership Structures and Ethnic Polarization: A Comparative Content Analysis of Crisis Framing. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 5(2), 334–342. DOI: 10.46882/2014/GJPCS/000059

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