International Communication Gazette
2019

Refugee debate and networked framing in the hybrid media environment (Article)

Pöyhtäri R.* , Nelimarkka M. , Nikunen K. , Ojala M. , Pantti M. , Pääkkönen J.
  • a Tampere University, Finland
  • b University of Helsinki and Aalto University, Espoo, Finland
  • c Tampere University, Finland
  • d University of Helsinki, Finland
  • e University of Helsinki, Finland
  • f University of Helsinki and Aalto University, Espoo, Finland

Abstract

In this article, we analyse how the debate on the ‘refugee crisis’ has been constructed in Finnish news media and social media by using big data analytics. The study applies big data with the aim of exploring the dynamics between the mainstream news media and social media and the ways in which these dynamics shape and strategically amplify different understandings of the refugee crisis. The research highlights over-emphasis of crime and threat-oriented themes on refugee issues in social media, as well as illuminates the distinct role of social media platforms in shaping debates through user practices of hyperlink sharing and networked framing. Together these findings suggest that the hybrid media environment provides a possible arena for polarization of the refugee debate that could also be used for political ends. © The Author(s) 2019.

Author Keywords

networked framing Big data analytics ‘refugee crisis’ Social media news media hyperlink analysis polarization topic modelling

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85074859284&doi=10.1177%2f1748048519883520&partnerID=40&md5=406e276345d36e47e2ed8e4edefa62e6
DOI: 10.1177/1748048519883520
ISSN: 17480485
Original Language: English