Publication Date

Summer 2010

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Journalism and Mass Communications

Advisor

Richard Craig

Keywords

Blogs, Citizen Journalism, Framing, Framing Analysis, News, Online Journalism

Subject Areas

Mass Communications; Information Science; Journalism

Abstract

The thesis examined possible differences in framing of information in news weblogs and professional news articles. A frame analysis was conducted to answer the main question: Is news framed differently in online newspapers as compared to weblogs? Articles from four blogs and four online newspapers were gathered over a period of 30 days. A total of 43 frames were identified in the selected blogs. A total of 92 frames were identified in the selected online newspapers. The most commonly identified frame in both blogs and online newspapers was the progress frame with 51 appearances. The critical frame was used 47 times, the regress frame was identified in 29 articles and the justice frame was used least. It was identified 8 times.

The articles showed differences in framing. However, the results of the study indicated that differences in framing of information are not related to the publication type (online newspaper or weblog) but are merely incidental. According to this study, framing cannot be used as an indicator for possible differences in the production and publication of news articles in weblogs and online newspapers.

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