Covering sensitive topics, the dilemma of objectivity and framing in journalism: The Dublin Riots of November 2023 - A content analysis of The Irish Times and The Irish Independent coverage of anti-immigrant sentiment.

Sammanfattning

Aim: This dissertation focuses on the coverage of anti-immigrant sentiment during the Dublin riots of November 23rd, 2023. The research questions focus on which level of objectivity and which type of frame was more prominent in the coverage of the riots, most particularly in relation to anti-immigrant sentiment. This study aims to shine light on the challenges of objectivity and framing when reporting on sensitive topics, where journalists are expected to remain neutral while avoiding normalizing discriminatory discourse.Theoretical framework: The study is grounded in several established media theories, objectivity in political coverage (Benson & Hallin, 2007) and framing the narrative (Entman, 1993). Engaged objectivity by Ward (2020) is more recent and will assist in the definition of objectivity in journalism from a historical perspective, as well as the discussion of the material. Methodology: The chosen method is a quantitative content analysis of two national Irish newspapers, the Irish Times and the Irish Independent. The data was collected a week onwards from the riot, from the 23/11/2023 to the 30/11/2023. Conclusions: Results highlight that in relation to anti-immigrant sentiment and objectivity, a more subjective approach was used in the Irish Independent in which the use of ‘Opinion’ was more prominent. However, both news outlets approached the overall coverage of the riots more objectively using ‘Background information’ translating a more neutral tone and carefully worded analysis of the unrest. In terms of type of frame, across both newspapers, anti-immigrant sentiment was mostly framed alongside ‘Victim sympathy’ and ‘Institutional response’.