Agenda setting in the Syrian war : a framing theory approach

Abstract

This paper studies how each television covers war using different type of frames based on its agenda setting. Depending on an extensive literature review analysis dealing with similar international and local conflicts and wars, this study links between what happened in the past in other countries and cities and the war in Aleppo. The paper raises four main research questions: RQ1: how much importance did the television stations give to the Aleppo situation?, RQ2: did the newscasts present both sides (opposition and regime) of the story?, RQ3: what type of language was used by each channel to portray the opposition and the regime?, and RQ4: what types of frames are used by each of the television channels?. To answer these questions, the study is based on framing and agenda settings theories and follows quantitative analysis built on content analysis. The content analysis analyzes the prime news of two Lebanese televisions, which are Future and Al-Manar televisions. Data analysis consists of counting the number of stories aired on each television during a specific period, the duration of each piece of news, types of frames used, and the used language. Based on the findings, the study concluded that “Al Manar” broadcasted more news related to Aleppo’s war than “Future”. “Al Manar”, which obviously supports the Syrian regime, used the language and the frames that match its agenda, while “Future television followed an opposite agenda setting, using the humanitarian frame the most, in supporting the rebels, based on its agenda.