Media Framing and Ethnic Polarization: A Comparative Analysis of Conflict Coverage in Divided Societies

Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies | Vol. 6, No. 1, January 2015 | pp. 433–441

DOI: 10.46882/2015/GJPCS/000070

Article Type: Original Research Paper

Title: Media Framing and Ethnic Polarization: A Comparative Analysis of Conflict Coverage in Divided Societies

Names of Authors: Kenji Takahashi¹, Ousmane Diallo²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Tokyo, Japan; ²Department of Sociology, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Senegal

Abstract: Abstract: Mass media channels can function either as tools for peace journalism or as drivers of severe ethnic polarization during political crises. This study presents a comparative content analysis of conflict coverage across mainstream print media outlets in two ethnically divided societies. We analyzed 800 newspaper articles published during periods of heightened political tension between 2009 and 2013 using standard content analysis. Media framing was categorized into war journalism markers (escalation-oriented, state-centric) and peace journalism markers (de-escalation-oriented, human-centric). The empirical results show a heavy systemic reliance on sensationalized war journalism framing, which constituted 74% of the total sampled text. Quantitative tracking reveals that an increase in inflammatory editorial frames correlates with a rise in negative out-group perceptions among readers (r = 0.62, p < 0.01). The study highlights how media ownership structures and corporate survival mechanisms push journalists toward polarizing narratives to maximize readership. The paper concludes that establishing independent media regulatory oversight and widespread training in conflict-sensitive reporting are crucial for transforming media into an instrument of peace.

Keywords: Media Framing, Ethnic Polarization, Peace Journalism, Content Analysis, Divided Societies, Conflict Escalation, Responsible Reporting

Manuscript Timeline: Received: August 01, 2014; Revised: October 10, 2014; Accepted: November 15, 2014; Published: January 05, 2015

Citation: Takahashi, K., & Diallo, O. (2015). Media Framing and Ethnic Polarization: A Comparative Analysis of Conflict Coverage in Divided Societies. Global Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 6(1), 433–441. DOI: 10.46882/2015/GJPCS/000070

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