ipl-logo

Conflict Representation Theory

1258 Words6 Pages

1. Introduction

The purpose of this section of the essay is to present the theoretical framework that will be employed and unpacked in completing my field of study, which seeks to investigate bias in media representations of conflict. The ways in which the media construct the news regarding conflict and peace are important. This is the case because society often depends on the media as a major source of information about conflicts. The main focus of this section seeks to unpack the journalistic techniques used by the media when representing conflict. By referring to key concepts of conflict representation theory I will further outline the dangers associated with this style of representation. Given the technical aspects of this study, I aim …show more content…

Conflict representation theory/study

This research project aims at unpacking conflict representations, therefore it is essential to understand the techniques and strategies implemented when representing conflict. Political leaders invest time and resources in in order to promote official frames to media (Gadi Wolfsfeld, Paul Frosh & Maurice T. Awabdy 2008:401). Galtung 1998, Manoff 1998 & Wolfsfeld 2004 cited by Wolfsfeld et al (2008:401) explains that the ways in which the news media represent conflicts “are also likely to have a significant influence on any subsequent attempts at conflict resolution”.

Annelore Deprez and Karin Raeymaeckers (2010:92) explain that the “selection and construction of news items, the picture that we see of ‘the foreign’, is a filtered, distorted, manipulated, one-sided and simplified image”. Looking at the techniques used by the media one may understand how this statement is given substance.

Wolfsfeld et al (2008:402) mentions that the news media employ a number of techniques that enable the organisation of the public during conflict. The first technique that can be identified is in the notion that news media leans towards to be culturally ethnocentric (Wolfsfeld et al 2008:402). Wolfsfeld et al (2008:402) explains that this means society views the world and other cultures through the perspective of “one’s own ethnic group” and goes further in insinuating that these cultures reject others who are culturally …show more content…

The first mechanism is the ‘Victims Mode’ of reporting. Wolfsfeld et al (2008:403) explains that this technique is applied to a situation in which an event concerns one’s own victims, usually in the form of civilian casualties. This technique is also used when a military’s losses are extreme or when soldiers are taken captive (Wolfsfeld et al 2008:403). The second mechanism is the ‘Defensive Mode’ of reporting. Wolfsfeld et al (2008:403) explains that this technique is implemented in circumstances whereby the leadership in question has to rationalise its’ own actions. This is often the case when there are civilian casualties on the opponents side (Wolfsfeld et al

Show More
Related

Essay On Trump's Argument Culture

868 Words | 4 Pages

Since the beginning of his campaign, President Trump has often portrayed himself as the victim of the liberal media and “fake news.” While every person should make a habit of checking their sources, it is my assertion that the media’s attitudes towards Trump have benefited him greatly. A common comparison somewhat alike to the chicken and the egg, is whether the media accurately represents events or creates them in their depiction. In my view both instances are present and valid in one’s attempt to analyse the media.

Read More

A Rhetorical Analysis Of Susie O Brien

1089 Words | 5 Pages

Have you ever listened to a news story and thought it sounded one-sided? Or have you thought the news didn't seem to report the whole story or the most important aspect of a story? Journalists possess the power to influence a whole group of people with their work. When writers input their opinion, they generate bias. Consecutively, this influences a reader's reaction to a topic.

Read More

New Historicism In Slaughterhouse-Five

1106 Words | 5 Pages

The absolute truth may not always be known. Another culture’s history may tell a varied version of an account that differs from the ones that exist in the textbooks in American classrooms. To every war, there is the triumphed and the defeated. Each side walks away with a drastically different outlook on what has occurred. By only hearing one side, individuals are there by limited and constricted to a less knowledgeable idea of the truth.

Read More

Dispatches Sparknotes

1747 Words | 7 Pages

Dispatches addresses larger cultural and political concerns that are still relevant now in addition to dispelling falsehoods about the war and criticizing the media's involvement in it. For instance, readers continue to identify with Herr's portrayal of troops who wrestle with the moral and psychological ramifications of war, especially in light of the ongoing battles in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other regions of the world. Dispatches' investigation of how war affects people's lives and communities also addresses more important issues about the costs of war, including the loss of human life as well as the depletion of social and economic resources. Furthermore, in the age of "fake news" and the militarization of information, Dispatches' critique of media manipulation and propaganda has gained even more weight. Herr's account of how the military controlled the media and how some journalists participated in spreading false information about the war raises significant issues regarding the media's obligation to tell the truth and hold those in authority accountable.

Read More

Post 9/11 Stereotypes

1100 Words | 5 Pages

A date that has gone down infamously in America’s history is the tragic event that occurred on September 11, 2001. This date was a turning point in the world, and many changes could be seen, such as the addition of the TSA in airports and increased security. However, one of the lesser known effects was the sense of fear that was unconsciously instilled within our communities. Today, this fear is represented through our heightened awareness towards terrorism, and the increased distance we tend to place between ourselves and our fellow community members. While 9/11 was a day most noted for its horrific display of terror and the loss of many lives, it was also the day that we, as a nation, lost our sense of security and replaced it with a sense

Read More

The Queen Movie Analysis

1445 Words | 6 Pages

The 2006 British film “The Queen” depicts events that unfolded after the death of Princess Diana in 1997. In the film, the British Royal Family did not react the way the public expected them to. Due to their lack of grief that was publicly shown towards Princess Diana’s death, it resulted in their actions being heavily criticised by British media and the public. Newly elected Prime Minister, Tony Blair, had to step in to help the Royal Family deal with their bad relations to the public, with the help of Diana’s ex-husband, Prince Charles. From the in-depth movie analysis, this essay will be able to show that the media is able to influence the people and their stance towards certain topics by applying these media theories: agenda setting through gatekeeping, dramatization, and two-step flow of communication.

Read More

The Negative Effects Of Media Bias

1501 Words | 7 Pages

In the words of Bernard Cohen, “media do not tell people what to think, but what to think about” (Cohen). When the media presents biased

Read More

Racism In Sociology

1148 Words | 5 Pages

Boundless Sociology. Boundless, 26 May. 2016. Retrieved 13 Jun. 2016 from https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-textbook/race-and-ethnicity-10/sociological-perspectives-on-race-and-ethnicity-83/the-functionalist-perspective-484-6546/ Conflict Theory Definition | Investopedia http://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/conflict-theory.asp#ixzz4BRil7B00 Conflict theory | Introduction to Sociology Keirns, Nathan J., Eric Strayer, Heather Griffiths, Susan Cody-Rydzewski, Gail Scaramuzzo, Tommy Sadler, and Sally Vyain. Griffin, E. (1997).

Read More

Four Stages Of Conflict In Health Care

1715 Words | 7 Pages

A individual use of conflict should be used by many strategies impacted by the culture of the organization or institution but also by the personal beliefs and values. “The variables surrounding the conflict must be examined to understand and alter the choice of a particular behavioral approach to conflict”(Thomas,1976). When deciding the choice of outcome of a problem you should examine the facts and stay away from the assumptions. When managing conflicts, strategies should be utilized and reviewed so that the conflict can come to an collective solution. Some strategies to obtain during a conflict is the first strategy which is understanding that rushing to end the conflict will cause you to not be able to gather the appropriate information.

Read More

Morton Deutsch's Theory Of Conflict Resolution

1011 Words | 5 Pages

Conflict resolution as a field of study as indicated has formed hypothetical bits of knowledge into the nature and source of conflict and how conflicts can be resolved through peaceful systems to effectuate a dependable settlement. Morton Deutsch, was the first to form and understanding into the helpful results of collaboration as a scholastic enquiry. In his view, various variables like the way of the debate and the objectives every group in a conflict goes for are crucial in deciding the sort of introduction a group would convey to the negotiation table in its endeavor to unravel the conflict (Morton Deucth, 1985, p.24). To him, two essential orientations do exist. These are competitive and cooperative.

Read More

Conflict Perspective: Conflict Theory: Theoretical Framework Of Conflict

1462 Words | 6 Pages

Theoretical Framework: Conflict Perspective: Conflict perspective focuses their attention on society as a whole. Conflict theorists see society as in a continuous sate of conflict between groups and classes. He struggle for power and income is a continuous process but one in which many categories of people appear as opponents-classes, races, nationalities and even the sexes. Society is held together through the power of dominant groups or classes. The shared values, which functionalist see as glue for holding society together, do no realty form rue consensus; instead this is an artificial consensus in which the dominant groups or classes impose their values and rules upon rest of the people.

Read More

Examples Of Quantitative Content Analysis

1827 Words | 8 Pages

Research question no. 1: What were the most written about topic in articles related to the invasion to Iraq? Research question no. 2: What type of sources the journalists used? Hypotheses no. 1: The journalists were accused of marginalizing voices against the war.

Read More

Lewis Coser Meaning Of Conflict Theory

940 Words | 4 Pages

The notion and the meaning of conflict have evolved with time. Before Coser, conflict was seen more as a source of social change and disintegration. However, the conflict theory we are referring to here is not necessarily an infliction of violence or atrocities, but a conflict that arises due to unequal distribution of power and resources. Theorists consider power to be an important element of conflict theory. For instance, who uses power or where is power located are two of the main concerns of conflict theory.

Read More

Simmel's Theory Of Conflict Theory

786 Words | 4 Pages

“Conflict is a struggle over values and claims to scarce status, power, and resources, in which the aims of the opponents are to neutralize, injure, or eliminate the rivals”. (L. Coser,

Read More

John Galtung's Theory Of Conflict Analysis

1038 Words | 5 Pages

John Galtung recommended that conflict could be observed as a triangle, with contradiction (C), attitude (A) and behaviour. He explained that all three aspects must be there in a full conflict condition. Contradiction is an important factor of a conflict which mentioned through the parties, their intentions and the clash of interests between them. Attitude comprises the parties’ views and misunderstandings of each other and of themselves. Behaviour is the third factor which can involve coercion or cooperation, gestures defining conciliation or hostility.

Read More

More about Conflict Representation Theory

Related Topics

Open Document