Framing analysis of a chemical attack in Syria : Al Jazeera, CNN, RT and political economy -

Abstract

Between Aug. 21 and Sept. 14 of 2013, the conflict raging in Syria took center stage in the international media. A chemical attack with unclear origins drew a waive of international condemnations and skepticism that news organizations followed closely, as direct Western involvement in the Syrian conflict was discussed. This study examines how three international news organizations – Al Jazeera, CNN and RT – framed and covered the incident within their respective political economic contexts. Bringing together literature on framing and the political economy of media, the study examines the varying ways in which the news organizations presented the conflict and the political economic context within which these frames arose.