The Zeitenwende has come with major developments in world order. Along with that, the image of global powers has changed. Media play a huge role in shaping the perceived identities of these actors....Show moreThe Zeitenwende has come with major developments in world order. Along with that, the image of global powers has changed. Media play a huge role in shaping the perceived identities of these actors. This thesis delves into the presentation of Russia and the European Union (EU) on the basis of the European sanctions against Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. It aims to answer the following research question: how do contemporary German and Russian media discourses on the EU sanctions frame the identity of the EU compared to Russia? Russian and German media are compared to provide insights into the way the identity of Russia and the EU are created in opposition to each other. As the media paint a picture of Russia and the EU as global actors, they rely on the interpretation of political events and foreign policy decisions, such as the implementation of sanctions. A mixed-methods approach of a quantitative content analysis and Critical Discourse Analysis reveals that the sanctions are appropriated to contribute to the dominant narrative in both Russia and the EU. In particular, Russian media create an image of Russia as smart and strong by othering the EU as stupid and irresponsible. In this light, the sanctions are casted as meaningless political activity. Meanwhile in the German media, the identity of the EU as capable actor is contingent on the impact of sanctions on Russia. Since the media contain a debate on the effectiveness on the sanctions, major disruptions of the Russian economy reflect a competent actor. Alternatively, when the effect of the sanctions is evaluated negatively the identity of the EU as capable is weakened. Furthermore, both the Russian and German media utilise legitimisation strategies to strengthen their narrative. First, the Russian media rely on authorisation to depict Russia as resilient actor. By referring to comments made by experts, it is stated that the Russian economy is not harmed by the sanctions. On the contrary, it is maintained that the sanctions damage the EU economy more. This way, it is emphasised that the EU is an irresponsible actor. Second, the German media employ rationalisation strategies to create an image of the EU as defensive actor. This means that the EU response is justified by providing a reason, in this case the attempt to contain Russia’s aggressive behaviour. Therefore, German media frame the EU as a capable actor with a set of instruments at its disposal to influence Russia. All in all, this thesis demonstrates that the identities of Russia and the EU are evolving in opposite directions.Show less
The well-known 2012 phenomenon sparked a major interest in Maya culture and their complex civilization by people from all around the globe, but mainly in the Western world. This was enhanced by the...Show moreThe well-known 2012 phenomenon sparked a major interest in Maya culture and their complex civilization by people from all around the globe, but mainly in the Western world. This was enhanced by the internet and in specific the media which mainly include social media such as Twitter. As a result, the 2012 phenomenon took the world by storm. In this research paper, the role of the (social) media on the 2012 phenomenon is assessed. Herewith, there are three essential aspects to examine: the Maya perspective, western perspective and the media. A concise and general overview on the rich history of the ancient Maya civilization will be provided. There are plenty of Maya writings left, however Tortuguero Monument 6 sets itself apart from the others. This is the only script which mentions a supposed end-date 21st of December 2012. There are various interpretations of Monument 6, therefore it is important to compare these with each other and elaborately discuss these similarities and differences. These give us more insight to our understanding on the 2012 phenomenon and the role of the media. There is no doubt that the media has had a great influence on the formation and spread of the 2012 phenomenon. Hereby, the media projected major influence on the public and even their opinions. However, the important role of the media reached to a certain extent. In which the phenomenon mainly concerned people from the Western world and not necessarily the Maya people. Since, contemporary Maya had little to no contribution to this phenomenon even though the concept is based on the writings of their ancestors.Show less
A nation’s identity builds on a common past and traditions. After the Second World War, the newborn government of the GDR had to make a concerted effort to create such traditions, building on the...Show moreA nation’s identity builds on a common past and traditions. After the Second World War, the newborn government of the GDR had to make a concerted effort to create such traditions, building on the history of the German working class and their leading historical figures. Among them: Clara Zetkin. A dedicated and respected politician in her time, she was made an icon in the GDR, as she was portrayed as an ideal socialist role model and heroine throughout the public sphere, by means of the memory politics of the SED. The biographies, newspaper articles, films, and museums focused on Zetkin, as well as the street signs, statues, banknotes, and awards bearing her name in the GDR created a particular image of the historical figure: a model socialist heroine. This image differs from the historical figure of Zetkin, as some parts have been emphasized, others downplayed, or left out entirely.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 thesis tries to research the JCPOA and the German / French official and medial reaction to it and to establish a connection of this with the state of European foreign policy.
This thesis explores the role of the Dutch online media outlet NU.nl in holding the intelligence agency AIVD accountable for unlawful conduct during the utilisation of the upgraded ISS act 2017....Show moreThis thesis explores the role of the Dutch online media outlet NU.nl in holding the intelligence agency AIVD accountable for unlawful conduct during the utilisation of the upgraded ISS act 2017. This is an important issue due to the gap in literature and the increasing importance of media in society. Furthermore, the ISS act has caused public outcry in the Netherlands and citizens fear for their privacy and rights. The watchdog of the AIVD, CTIVD has published four reports investigating their conduct. Using these reports a benchmark of issues is created as indicator of good reporting to enhance accountability. This thesis has chosen to analyse the amount of coverage these issues receive in the media articles in 2018 and compare it to the occurrence of the issues in the reports. Limitations of this study are the lack of linguistic and contextual comparison and the lack of consideration of political affiliation of the news outlet. Furthermore, the CTIVD reports are considered as the ideal way to report in order to maximise intelligence accountable, which neglects the imperfection of the organisation. This paper concludes that in the 17 news articles that contain one or more of the benchmark issue(s), 6 out of the 8 relevant issues (75%) were extensively reported on in the media when comparing to the CTIVD reports resulting in a positive effect on the media’s ability to hold the AIVD accountable. Therefore, this thesis argues that the ability of the media to hold the AIVD accountable in news articles that cover the unlawful conduct is very high.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
This thesis aims to answer the question how are tweets used to represent female politicians in social media discourse? I will utilise the critical discourse analyses (CDA) method to analyse...Show moreThis thesis aims to answer the question how are tweets used to represent female politicians in social media discourse? I will utilise the critical discourse analyses (CDA) method to analyse language used in context of tweets. Gender bias is the behaviour that shows a favouritism towards one gender over the other. I will firstly present the literature that has been published previously, before moving on to the theoretical framework, looking at the theory of gender bias and women’s empowerment. This thesis will focus on the Netherlands as a case study, with Sigrid Kaag and Rob Jetten providing the qualitative sample. The Netherlands was chosen as research is lacking on European countries, while the Netherlands has one of the highest rates of women legislators. Choosing two politicians who both have prominent positions in the political party D66, with different genders will allow the research to ascertain if there is a difference in tweets that mention Sigrid Kaag and Rob Jetten. In conclusion, the thesis shows that language used in tweets constitute a gender bias towards the female politician Kaag.Show less
This thesis researches the different view of China on soft power by analysing China's media discourse in Chinese English-language media channels on Covid-19. The Chinese government has a more...Show moreThis thesis researches the different view of China on soft power by analysing China's media discourse in Chinese English-language media channels on Covid-19. The Chinese government has a more different stance in believing that soft power can be generated and created, similar to hard power being created with the use of greater military force and economic power. Soft power, in Nye’s view, is a by-product of other things, not something you can “create” in and of itself. A notable shift in narrative can be identified between the two periods and media channels selected for this thesis. Consequently, China’s attempt at creating soft power is made visible by this shift in narrative.Show less
De journalistiek ligt de laatste tijd steeds meer onder vuur. Van buitenaf klinken geluiden dat journalisten nepnieuws verspreiden of zich voor het karretje laten spannen als een propagandamachine....Show moreDe journalistiek ligt de laatste tijd steeds meer onder vuur. Van buitenaf klinken geluiden dat journalisten nepnieuws verspreiden of zich voor het karretje laten spannen als een propagandamachine. Hierdoor neemt de druk op de journalistiek steeds meer toe, waardoor deze zich ook moet verdedigen tegen de kritiek van buitenaf. Het doel van dit onderzoek is om te achterhalen hoe Nederlandse journalisten omgaan met kritiek en haatdragende taal van buitenaf. Om hierachter te komen staat de volgende onderzoeksvraag centraal: Op wat voor manier(en) verweren Nederlandse journalisten van nieuwsmedia zich tegen kritische opmerkingen en hate speech van buitenaf? Om deze vraag te beantwoorden zijn elf journalisten van tien verschillende Nederlandse nieuwsmedia een-op-een geïnterviewd. Alle elf de journalisten zijn gevraagd naar hun visies en ervaringen op zes onderdelen: de journalistieke professie, maatschappelijke taken van de journalist, de relatie tot het publiek, de kritiek en soorten kritiek, het omgaan met de kritiek en ten slotte de effecten van de kritiek. Uit de antwoorden zijn verschillende manieren van omgaan met kritiek naar voren gekomen, waarbij meerdere journalisten aangeven dat zij de kritiek makkelijk van zich laten afglijden. Bovendien zijn meerdere journalisten bereid om te reageren op kritiek, al stopt die welwillendheid vaak wanneer er scheldwoorden aan te pas komen.Show less
The exceptional stability of the Moroccan monarchy during turbulent periods such as the protests of the F20 movement and the protests of the Hirak movement is intriguing. During the Arab Spring,...Show moreThe exceptional stability of the Moroccan monarchy during turbulent periods such as the protests of the F20 movement and the protests of the Hirak movement is intriguing. During the Arab Spring, the monarchy was the only country in North Africa that has kept the same head of state. Researchers are inclined to explain the stability of Morocco by analyzing the political strategies of the state and the monarchy. But what is often overlooked in the study of the Arab Spring in Morocco is the people. The Moroccan people remained relatively calm. The protests in Morocco were not as widespread as the protests in the rest of North Africa and the Middle East. In addition, the protesters' demands were aimed at reform, not revolution. How come the people of Morocco had different demands than the rest of North Africa? When considering the exceptional stability of the country, the country's particular characteristics must also be considered. Because not only is Morocco the only monarchy in North Africa; the country also has an extra religious dimension, because it is an emirate. To what extent did the king's religious title play a role in limiting the demonstrations in Morocco? To what extent has the king's religious legitimacy been used as a strategy to maintain peace in troubled times? And to what extent has the media been used as an instrument for this religious legitimacy? This research will examine to what extent the above-mentioned issues have had an impact on the demonstrators during the Moroccan spring. A content analysis of newsarticles from the Arab Spring period will be conducted. In addition, interviews will be conducted with protesters.Show less
In 2019 is door de Tweede Kamer een motie aangenomen om een vrouwenquotum in te voeren voor de Raden van Commissarissen van beursgenoteerde bedrijven. Een vrouwenquotum is al jaren een onderwerp...Show moreIn 2019 is door de Tweede Kamer een motie aangenomen om een vrouwenquotum in te voeren voor de Raden van Commissarissen van beursgenoteerde bedrijven. Een vrouwenquotum is al jaren een onderwerp van gesprek, zowel in de media als de politiek. Vanaf 2008 zijn er verschillende maatregelen genomen om het aandeel vrouwen in de top te vergroten, maar dit zorgde niet voor het gewenste resultaat. Dat er na al die jaren toch een vrouwenquotum wordt ingevoerd, doet de vraag reizen wat er is veranderd waardoor deze beleidsverandering kon plaatsvinden. Dit onderzoek bekijkt of de media, door middel van frames, invloed heeft gehad op het besluitvormingsproces, waardoor het vrouwenquotum is aangenomen door de Tweede Kamer. Het doel van dit onderzoek is te verklaren in welke mate de dominante frames in de media over het emancipatiebeleid invloed hebben gehad op het invoeren van het vrouwenquotum in twee periodes. De centrale onderzoeksvraag luidt: ‘In hoeverre hebben de dominante frames over het emancipatiebeleid in de media invloed gehad op het besluitvormingsproces van de Tweede Kamer t.a.v. het vrouwenquotum in de periodes 2007-2008 en 2018-2019?’ Om de centrale onderzoeksvraag te kunnen beantwoorden wordt een inductieve frame-analyse uitgevoerd in de media en de politieke arena. De nieuwsberichten van de zes grootste kranten en de Kamerstukken van de Tweede Kamer zijn in de twee periodes geanalyseerd. Daarna zijn de dominante frames bepaald in de twee periodes in de media en politieke arena. Uit de analyse komt naar voren dat de dominante frames over het emancipatiebeleid in de media sterk overeenkomen met de dominante frames in de politiek. Daardoor kan worden gesteld dat de dominante frames over het emancipatiebeleid in de media invloed hebben gehad op het besluitvormingsproces. Wanneer specifieker wordt ingezoomd op de frames is te zien dat erbij thema frames weinig doorwerking is. Dit kan worden verklaard door het feit dat de arena’s bestaan uit verschillende actoren, waardoor op verschillenden elementen de aandacht worden gelegd. Ook kan geconcludeerd worden dat het besluit om een vrouwenquotum in te voeren heeft plaatsgevonden, omdat de hoeveelheid aandacht en de toon van de aandacht in de tweede periode sterk is veranderd. Hierdoor is er een ‘window of opportunity’ ontstaan en kon een beleidsverandering plaatsvinden. Tot slot komt in dit onderzoek naar voren dat het besluit tot het vrouwenquotum een ingrijpende beleidsverandering is. Daarbij is vastgesteld dat de concepten ‘framing’ en ‘re-framing’ een indicator kunnen zijn om vast te stellen welke soort beleidsverandering er heeft plaatsgevonden.Show less
This thesis analyzes the social and academic value of fanfiction concerned with LGBTQ+ representation in Young Adult Literature. Since the heteronormative discourse looks upon LGBTQ+ as a...Show moreThis thesis analyzes the social and academic value of fanfiction concerned with LGBTQ+ representation in Young Adult Literature. Since the heteronormative discourse looks upon LGBTQ+ as a controversial theme, LGBTQ+ identities and storylines in media such as literature are often stereotyped and negative. Young Adult Literature finds itself in a position where it can provide positive LGBTQ+ representation because of its tendency towards realism. However, existing power structures still prevent this genre from fully reaching its potential. This potential can be realized through fanfiction, an open discourse available on the internet. On fanfiction platforms, people with LGBTQ+ identities write the narratives they need based on official media stories, such as literature and movies. This thesis offers two comparative analyses. First, I will compare the non-LGBTQ+ Young Adult novels The Hunger games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, with a selection of corresponding LGBTQ+ fanfiction. In the second part, I present a comparison between the LGBTQ+ Young Adult novel Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and a selection of corresponding LGBTQ+ fanfiction. Both of these analyses research the interpretations by fanfiction writers of the Young Adult novels on which they are grafted, highlighting their specific needs with regard to LGBTQ+ representation.Show less
