Framing a Kidnapping

Abstract

This paper extends framing theory to incorporate macro-level frames such as cynicism, speculation, and metacommunication as dominant reporting styles surrounding the kidnapping of three Romanian journalists near Baghdad. A macro-frame was defined as universal, thematic organizing structures that are capable of serving as foundations to generic frames. A systematic content analysis was performed on 255 news stories and 2941 subsequent online reader discussion posts from Evenimentul Zilei and Jurnalul National spanning 75 days of the kidnapping and return of three Romanian journalists. Results extend framing theory to demonstrate media reliance on speculation and metacommunication as overarching reporting styles. Online deliberation between readers in this evolving democracy demonstrates difficulties in citizens' abilities to emerge from the spiral of cynicism characteristic of post-communist Romania.

Blogosphere, vulnerability news and users’ engagement: The contribution of blogs in the reporting of internally displaced persons in Nigeria

“…Frames : The frames used in the present research were adopted from the prior literature (Constantinescu & Tedesco, 2007; Hussain, 2016; Ibrahim & Gujbawu, 2017; Steimel, 2010) and modified to fit into the context of this research. However, the government financial/physical support frame was added by the researchers in order to achieve the aim of this investigation.…”

“…Consequently, the manner in which IDPs’ stories are portrayed on blogs goes a long way in influencing the public towards the situation surrounding them. For example, the human-interest frame (Steimel, 2010), which puts a human face and inserts emotions in the presentation of the event/issue (Constantinescu & Tedesco, 2007), the victimization frame, which focuses on the plight of refugees or IDPs, portraying them as in need of help because of circumstances that lie beyond their own control and actions (Horsti, 2008b; Van Gorp, 2005), as well as providing detailed insights into the background, motivation and living conditions (KhosraviNik, 2009), has been used to shape and influence the public perception. Furthermore, security risk frame which looks at the secureness (the state of being free from fear or danger), assistance/humanitarian frame, which covers stories that show how the IDPs need support and are experiencing bad conditions, and the background information frame (Greussing & Boomgaarden, 2017), which provides detailed information about those in troublesome situations, such as refugees and IDPs, as well as the responsibility frame, which attributes responsibility to either the society or individual (Yu et al, 2015), have also been adopted by the news media and new media outlets such as blogs.…”