Very recently, it was revealed that Dutch citizens are now generally supportive of nuclear energy: the supporters outnumber the opponents (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek [CBS], 2023)....Show moreVery recently, it was revealed that Dutch citizens are now generally supportive of nuclear energy: the supporters outnumber the opponents (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek [CBS], 2023). Supporters cite the fact that no carbon dioxide is emitted during generation and the need to guarantee a sufficient energy supply as reasons for their support of nuclear energy (Van Engeland & Van der Schelde, 2021). Nuclear energy has not always had high favourability ratings (e.g. Pampel, 2011). One of the reasons for this low support is that nuclear energy has not only been associated with benefits, but also with substantial risks, such as the risk of meltdown and the risks related to nuclear waste (Stoutenborough et al., 2013). The fact that support for nuclear energy apparently fluctuates with time suggests that actors (e.g. the media, politicians) may be able to influence support for the technology by framing it in a certain way. Indeed, nuclear energy has been framed in various ways in Dutch media (Vossen, 2020). Existing research has found that framing can alter attitudes toward nuclear energy (Bickerstaff et al., 2008; Bird et al., 2014; Feldman & Hart, 2018; Pidgeon et al., 2008). However, research on the effect of positive framing (i.e framing designed to increase support) and negative framing (i.e. framing designed to decrease support) on attitudes toward nuclear energy has not yet been conducted in the Netherlands. Additionally, there is reason to believe that the size of the effect of positive and negative frames on support for nuclear energy depends on the values one endorses (De Groot et al., 2013; Entman, 1993; Perlaviciute & Steg, 2015). Existing research has not looked into this hypothesis. Thus, the present study addresses two research questions. Firstly, to what extent does framing affect support for nuclear energy? Secondly, to what extent does the size of the framing effect depend on the values one endorses?Show less
The 2022 drought strongly affected a large part of Europe, including the South of France. Because the media communicated about the issue and had the capacity to shape the public opinion, it is...Show moreThe 2022 drought strongly affected a large part of Europe, including the South of France. Because the media communicated about the issue and had the capacity to shape the public opinion, it is relevant to analyse the framing implemented. The critical discourse analysis of this issue to understand how it was framed by the French media used 65 newspaper articles and magazine issues. The study highlighted that the framing of the issue intensively employed an anxious narrative based on the powerlessness in the face of the unavoidable drought by dramatising the issue. Beside the framing of fatality of the event, the sense of injustice toward the water regulations and their implementation illustrated the exasperation and the feeling of inequity. The framing of the 2022 drought reflected the increasing polarisation of the contemporary society regarding climate change.Show less
Indigenous Peoples have been historically Othered in society but also through the use of the media. This phenomenon is based on historic asymmetries of power that are still present in the modern...Show moreIndigenous Peoples have been historically Othered in society but also through the use of the media. This phenomenon is based on historic asymmetries of power that are still present in the modern day. One contemporary example of this is that of the participation of Indigenous Peoples in Colombia, in particular the Minga, during the protests in 2021 known as the Paro Nacional. Though this period had a wide participation of vast groups of society protesting (students, feminist groups, workers unions, and other marginalised groups), the way the Minga was covered in the media was distinct in highlighting the danger they posed compared to these other groups. Thus, this research focuses on answering why were the Indigenous grouping (the Minga) portrayed as dangerous when they protested in the Paro Nacional of 2021? The central argument proposed is that this is due to the media’s power alongside the government in wanting to maintain the colonial subjectivities of Indigenous people that were posing a threat to social order during these unusually disruptive protests. To do so the research uses a multidisciplinary methodology of historical primary source analysis and frame analysis, from the cultural studies discipline, to shed light on the Othering narratives present in the chosen sources in the Colombian media during the Paro Nacional of 2021. This research not only proves important for the local Colombian context but is also relevant globally as the Othering of minorities through the media can limit the effectiveness of social justice anywhere.Show less
This thesis aims to explore the evolution of Dutch media framing concerning Albania's European Union (EU) integration process. To better understand the complex dynamics impacting perceptions of...Show moreThis thesis aims to explore the evolution of Dutch media framing concerning Albania's European Union (EU) integration process. To better understand the complex dynamics impacting perceptions of Albania's EU integration, examining the media mood, framing tendencies, and the general thematic focus in Dutch news coverage is imperative. This will be guided by the theoretical framework of Liberal Intergovernmentalism Theory (LIT). The research focuses on one central question: How does the media framing of Albania in Dutch media correlate with the Dutch government's decision-making on Albania's accession process between 2018 and 2022? The findings highlight how the media can influence public opinion and policy dialogue through links between media framing and Albania's integration milestones. The findings indicate that there is a strong correlation between the portrayal of Albania in the Dutch media and the decision- making of the Dutch government on Albania's accession to the EU. The fluctuating emphasis of media framing, which reflects external influences and geopolitical dynamics, is consistent with the fundamental ideas of LIT, which hold that domestic actors must adjust to global conditions. This study emphasizes the connections among media narratives, public opinion, and policy concerns. It stresses the significance of acknowledging the media's role in promoting an informed and positive public debate on EU integration.Show less
This master's thesis investigates the framing of climate change discourse in Dutch media and parliamentary debates and examines the potential influence of these frames on climate change policy...Show moreThis master's thesis investigates the framing of climate change discourse in Dutch media and parliamentary debates and examines the potential influence of these frames on climate change policy-making. Employing content analysis, three dominant frames were identified: the Systemic Change Frame, the Industry Responsibility Frame, and the Politics Frames. The study uncovers similarities and divergences between the media and political debates, highlighting how discourse can shape public perception and policy responses. Despite the Dutch-focused context, the research underscores the broader implications of discourse framing in climate change communication and policy-making. The thesis acknowledges its limitations, including the absence of direct policy impact measurement and calls for future research to explore these dimensions. This work contributes to understanding the complex interplay between media discourse, public perception, and political decision-making. It offers valuable insights for climate change stakeholders navigating policy responses in the face of this global issue.Show less
This thesis sought to explore factors resulting in EU foreign policy reform through Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework. Using the literature on EU foreign policy change and the EU’s sanctions...Show moreThis thesis sought to explore factors resulting in EU foreign policy reform through Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework. Using the literature on EU foreign policy change and the EU’s sanctions policy as a fundamental basis, the expectations were that framing in a particular way would result in EU foreign policy reform, that policy entrepreneurs contributed to EU foreign policy reform, and that think tanks and swings of European mood contributed to EU foreign policy reform. Within this thesis, the imposition of sanctions against Russia represents the policy reform and window of opportunity through which policy reform can be realized. The cases of the annexations of Crimea and four Ukrainian regions were selected. To identify the factors at play, European news outlets, EU policy documents and meeting results, think tank reports and opinion polls have been consulted. The results revealed that policy entrepreneurs within the policy stream were responsible for the imposition of sanctions, despite continuous expression of dissatisfaction and use of the window of opportunity by think tanks. The discoveries within this thesis offer insights into the significant influence of factors found in the Multiple Streams Framework, contributing to existing literature on policymaking and opening avenues for further research.Show less
In 1989, a rape of a white woman in Central Park became one of the most publicized cases in American history. This thesis focuses on the Central Park Five and how the New York Times and the...Show moreIn 1989, a rape of a white woman in Central Park became one of the most publicized cases in American history. This thesis focuses on the Central Park Five and how the New York Times and the Washington Post described and presented the boys in the media storm. In what way did the New York Times and the Washington Post frame the Central Park Five around the trial, meaning before, during, and after the exoneration in 2002 and the settlement with the city of New York in 2014? Previous research concerning this case study has primarily focused on details of the case and other aspects. This research uses framing theory and the White Racial Frame to show patterns of racial frames in the two newspapers. The research shows that while the racial narratives were prevalent around the trial, they became less visible after decades had passed. This thesis demonstrates that how the boys were depicted was highly influenced by their time. With the years going by, the frame changed as well. In the end, the men were viewed positively instead of demonized.Show less
Image building within and about China-Africa relations play as major role in the way this growing international engagement is understood. Despite recognition for its important role in high level...Show moreImage building within and about China-Africa relations play as major role in the way this growing international engagement is understood. Despite recognition for its important role in high level dialogue and policy creation, non-media platforms, such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, are often overlooked as an important image-building medium. Therefore, by questioning how Chinese and African officials frame their own relationship through official FOCAC-discourse, this thesis seeks to add to contemporary framing theory on China-Africa relations. Three case studies on written and visual framing processes within important FOCAC policy documents, photographs and speeches highlight the multiplicity of frameworks that contribute to the creation of a relational self-image. These analyses reveal how images of China-Africa relations are built on co-existing, but contrasting discourses, and how different framing mechanisms influence each other to shape a multiplicity of images.Show less
Somaliland is a self-declared country located in the Horn of Africa that has been struggling for international recognition for over 30 years. Nonrecognition hinders unrecognized states from...Show moreSomaliland is a self-declared country located in the Horn of Africa that has been struggling for international recognition for over 30 years. Nonrecognition hinders unrecognized states from participating in multilateral and bilateral trade agreements, it severely restricts their opportunity to attract foreign aid and it excludes their region from international legal frameworks. The decision to grant Somaliland recognition is a political process of negotiation and depended on the global context, and moreover, not strictly bound by international law. Discourse and framing theories exemplify that how actors frame their actions, words and perceptions has a significant influence in diplomatic relations. Hence, this thesis is intending to unravel the ways in which the Somaliland government aims to influence the stance of the international community towards recognizing its independence by using various types of framing. This will contribute to the academic debate as unrecognized states and their practices, interests and beliefs are still considered to be a ‘black box’. A qualitative content analysis was carried out and data was gathered, comprising 14 speeches and interviews given by the Somaliland President and Minister of Foreign Affairs for the period of 2012-2022. The results indicate that the government of Somaliland prioritizes prognostic framing over diagnostic framing with a specific focus on the justification for acquiring international recognition. Motivational framing is mostly deployed towards the United States as this country is seen as a powerful actor in diplomatic relations.Show less
This thesis delves into how social movements mobilize participants to protest on a large scale. Recently, climate protests have expanded to a global scale. In September 2019, social movements like...Show moreThis thesis delves into how social movements mobilize participants to protest on a large scale. Recently, climate protests have expanded to a global scale. In September 2019, social movements like FridaysForFuture and Extinction Rebellion mobilized an unprecedented number of youths to engage in climate protest action. This research focuses on Extinction Rebellion, due to their radical action and global appeal, and investigates their mobilization media in the form of E-mail newsletters available on their online archive. The methodology is theoretically inspired by Grounded Theory; systematically codes selected newsletters to identify frames employed by Extinction Rebellion and discusses how they are utilized to mobilize the youthShow less
A universal basic income (UBI) is a government program in which citizens regularly receive a fixed amount of money regardless of whether they work or not. Many opponents believe that motivation to...Show moreA universal basic income (UBI) is a government program in which citizens regularly receive a fixed amount of money regardless of whether they work or not. Many opponents believe that motivation to work will decrease with the introduction of a UBI. Previous studies show different results, so it remains unclear whether the willingness to work would change. This research contributes to this discussion by further investigating the effect of a UBI on the willingness to work. In addition, the variables self-efficacy and framing were also included. The expectation was that the willingness to work would not decrease and that self-efficacy and framing would influence the choice of whether or not to work. A total of 162 students who study at Universiteit Leiden were recruited. Each of these students were placed in one of three different conditions. These are the 1. UBI condition, 2. CBI loss frame condition and 3. CBI gain frame condition. This study measured the willingness to work in each condition. The Gills & Prowse slider task was used to measure the willingness to work. The GSES questionnaire was used to measure self-efficacy. The results show that the willingness to work in the UBI condition is higher than in the CBI loss frame condition. People do not stop working when they receive a UBI and, on average, choose to work more often than people who receive a CBI. Self-efficacy appears to be unrelated to willingness to work. The findings of this study contribute to the ongoing public debate.Show less
The purpose of this study is to gain insights on how the causes of the EU-Belarus border crisis are framed by Belarusian state-controlled media by answering the research question: in what ways do...Show moreThe purpose of this study is to gain insights on how the causes of the EU-Belarus border crisis are framed by Belarusian state-controlled media by answering the research question: in what ways do Belarusian state-controlled media use framing tactics in their reporting to explain the EU-Belarus border crisis? This research employs qualitative thematic analysis on 32 selected articles from two major Belarusian news outlets to explain how the frames are constructed and what framing techniques are used. This research found that four major meta-narratives can be distinguished, that are supported by several frames: the EU has caused the crisis itself; the EU, Poland and the Baltic states have something to gain, the West has caused the crisis due to involvement in the Middle East; and the US and NATO want war in the region as to weaken Russia. Four additional frames support these meta-narratives: violence; human rights; nazi’s in the military; and Belarus as a victim. This research found that the Belarusian statecontrolled media construct narratives that support meta-narratives through which the conflict can be seen and understood. Reasoning devices in combination with the framing tactics of one-sided reporting, omittance of information and disinformation are used in constructing these frames and narratives.Show less
