Framing a War and a People: A Mixed Methods Study of Portrayals of Iraqi Violence
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Date
2009-06
Authors
Dittmer, Jacob Peter
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
This study examines how the news media and U.S. officials within the Bush
administration utilized rhetoric and specific words over others to frame the violence and
civil unrest in Iraq following the U.S. invasion. This study incorporates a mixed methods
approach to framing analysis. It seeks to advance framing research into the role of the
media in presenting dominant frames set forth by powerful political elites. By examining
Department of Defense news briefings, this study critiques the officials' framing of the
violence and unrest in Iraq. Likewise, through a content analysis of two newspapers'
coverage of the Iraq War, it examines the frequency of certain key terms as it attempts to
locate the emergence of dominant rhetorical frames, particularly "insurgency." Results
reveal that officials framed Iraq's insurgency as part of the war on terror and the
insurgency frame emerged in print during the periods of study.
Description
ix, 99 p. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number.
Keywords
Iraq War, 2003-2011, Rhetoric, United States -- Politics and government -- 2001-2009