En svart svane Medias makt og ansvar i kriserapportering: En studie av medias dekning av kritiske hendelser

Abstract

Abstract

This master's thesis explores the power and responsibility of the media in crisis reporting, focusing on the coverage of Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and two subsequent conflicts. The study examines how different media actors, both local and international, reported on these events, and how language use and political standpoints influence public perception.

Using theories of agenda-setting and framing, the thesis addresses two central research questions: 1) How does the use of emotionally charged language and terminology differ between Western and local media in the coverage of attacks and warfare? 2) What differences exist in the coverage of the events between local and international media, and how can these differences expand our understanding of the media's role in international conflicts. Preliminary analyses indicate significant differences in how local and international media cover the events. Western media tend to use more emotionally charged language and focus on different aspects of the conflict compared to local media in Israel and Palestine. This may have implications for how the public perceives the conflict and what political attitudes are formed. The thesis concludes that media coverage has a significant impact on public discourse and political perception, especially in times of crisis. Further research is recommended to understand the long-term effects of media coverage and how social media and AI influence news dissemination in complex conflict situations.