News framing in the Egyptian press: a comparative content analysis of news framing of the June 30th, 2013 events and aftermath in Egyptian newspapers

Abstract

This content analysis examines news framing of the June 30th, 2013 events, aftermath and political players across five local dailies representing different ownership categories creating a panoramic view of the press media landscape in Egypt. The study samples; the state-run Al-Ahram, the independent Al-Masry Al-Youm, the private Al-Dostor, Al-Wafd party paper and the FJP opposition party paper. This comparative research relies on the framing theory as a backdrop for this study; where a coding scheme addressed all five newspapers’ definition of the problem, reliance on sources theme, causality frame and suggestion of remedies. The study examines an important period relatively few days before the June 30th events until January 25th, 2014, approximately six months under the rule of Egyptian interim President, Adly Mansour. The total sample yielded 230 articles. Moreover, the results highlight varying degrees of loyalties, professionalism and balance in the covering of the events taking place in Egypt. Reflecting a correlation between the ownership category and the news framing used by each newspaper. Creating a dominant frame supportive of the June 30th events, after math and political players and a deviant critical of the june 30th events, aftermath and political supporters. The government-run Al-Ahram carried a conservative mouthpiece of the government coverage; while Al-Masry Al-Youm reportage was the most frequent to speak favorably of the government. On the contrary Al-Dostor was bias against the Muslim Brotherhood (MB), yet didn’t side with the government. However, Al-Wafd was bias towards the June 30th events and political players and was the most critical of the MB. On the other hand, FJP was operating as a mouthpiece of the MB. Moreover, the study's findings provide an important post-revolution baseline for Egyptian journalism that can be used to monitor the progression of news performance as the country’s transition to democracy unfolds.