When media of a small nation argue for war

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Abstract

In this comparative analysis of editorial columns in Danish newspapers, we analyze how news media can act as a political voice during times of war. Whereas most studies of media coverage of war focus on one specific war, this analysis provides empirically and theoretically grounded conclusions across three wars: Afghanistan 2001-, Iraq 2003-2007, and Libya 2011. The analysis focuses on the interpretative frames that are mobilized concerning the cause of conflict, the legitimacy of war, and the rationales for deploying Danish troops. Various models of elite-media relationships are considered and modified from a theoretical perspective in order to take into account the particular problems involved for a small nation going to war. The analysis largely confirms the influence of elite consensus or dissensus on media coverage. Other influential factors include the media system and the semi-autonomous status of newspapers as an elite voice competing with other opinion-making elites.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMedia, War & Conflict
Volume7
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)51-69
Number of pages19
ISSN1750-6352
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2014

Keywords

  • Faculty of Humanities

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