How political polarisation is reflected in news and media framing of the Charlie Kirk assassination

Piirto Jessica Maria and Ayurtsetseg Oyundelgerekh (2025) How political polarisation is reflected in news and media framing of the Charlie Kirk assassination. ['eprint_fieldopt_faculty_mük' not defined]. (Kéziratban)

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Absztrakt (kivonat)

Abstract for TDK - How political polarization is reflected in news and media framing of the Charlie Kirk assassination Jessica Piirto & Oyundelgerekh Ayurtsetseg Political polarization in the United States increasingly influences how major news outlets report and interpret political events (Pew Research Center, 2021). This study investigates how such polarization manifests in the coverage of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, providing a relevant case for analyzing the intersection between media discourse and political division. By examining the extensive media attention surrounding this event, we can explore how language and narrative structure in news articles reflect differing ideological perspectives. This research primarily focuses on the representation of the event itself—specifically how certain aspects are emphasized, framed, and emotionally conveyed through reporting. The study adopts an exploratory qualitative methodology, utilizing a combination of framing analysis, critical discourse analysis (CDA), and tone analysis to understand how polarization is represented in written texts. By applying Entman’s (1993) framing theory, we explore how different articles identify key issues, interpret causes, and present moral judgments related to the assassination. The examination of meaning in the texts draws from Fairclough (1995) and van Dijk (1998), focusing on the significance of word choices, patterns of quotations, and narrative structures. These elements play crucial roles in shaping how readers interpret the event and its implications. Additionally, analyzing the tone of reporting helps reveal the emotional and evaluative cues embedded in journalists' language. This multifaceted approach aims to highlight the powerful influence of language on public perception and emotional response within media discourse. The study analyzes ten articles from major U.S. news sources, published within forty-eight hours of the assassination. The selection includes four articles from left-leaning outlets (NBC News and MSNBC), four from right-leaning sources (Fox News), and two from the Associated Press, which is recognized for its centrist stance. This varied selection provides an opportunity to observe how political orientation affects news coverage. Using Entman’s framework, our analysis centers on four critical aspects: defining the problem, interpreting causes, making moral evaluations, and suggesting potential solutions. An inductive approach allows us to develop analytical categories from the data, letting themes and linguistic patterns emerge organically rather than relying on pre-established frameworks. This strategy enhances our understanding of the narratives constructed by each outlet in their reporting of the incident. Initial findings indicate that news outlets frame the assassination differently based on political leanings. Left-leaning outlets connect it to political violence and societal instability, while right-leaning coverage focuses on threats to conservative identity. Centrist reporting remains factual but highlights public discourse divisions. The tone and language chosen significantly influence readers' understanding of the incident's broader implications. Social media discourse analysis on the outlets’ accounts on X further shows the divide of the people and their affiliation with party values, showing negative attitudes towards others who are not aligned with the same views. Social media discourse analysis was done to understand if audience attitudes differ from those of the mainstream media. Analysis of the comments on the outlets’ accounts adds the perspective of audiences whose discussions are not bound by the rules mainstream media operate by. Overall, this study serves as an exploratory examination of how political polarization is reflected in the media. While it does not aim to draw definitive conclusions, it establishes a foundation for future research that could involve a larger dataset or explore social media nuances. By focusing on the structure and language of news reports, this study offers valuable insights into the ways polarization is embedded in contemporary U.S. media.

Intézmény

Budapesti Gazdasági Egyetem

Kar

['eprint_fieldopt_faculty_mük' not defined]

Tudományterület/tudományág

NEM RÉSZLETEZETT

Szak

Kommunikáció és médiatudomány

Mű típusa:	TDK dolgozat
Kulcsszavak:	analysis, discourse, framing, polarisation, United States
SWORD Depositor:	User Archive
Felhasználói azonosító szám (ID):	User Archive
Rekord készítés dátuma:	2026. Ápr. 16. 07:38
Utolsó módosítás:	2026. Ápr. 16. 07:38
URI:	http://dolgozattar.uni-bge.hu/id/eprint/60489	URI:	http://dolgozattar.uni-bge.hu/id/eprint/60489	URI:	http://dolgozattar.uni-bge.hu/id/eprint/60489

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