Date of Award
8-2025
Degree Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
School
Communication
Committee Chair
Dr. Jae-Hwa Shin
Committee Chair School
Communication
Committee Member 2
Dr. Edgar Simpson
Committee Member 2 School
Communication
Committee Member 3
Dr. Amonia Tolofari
Committee Member 3 School
Communication
Abstract
This study investigates how Bangladeshi and U.S.-based media outlets framed the 2024 Quota Reform Movement in Bangladesh. While prior research has highlighted media ownership or ideology, this work explores how the national context influences framing across global North and South outlets. Drawing on framing and comparative media systems theory, propaganda models, and protest paradigms, the research explores differences in dominant frames, message themes, source attribution patterns, and sentiment across four major news platforms: New York Times, Associated Press, New Nation, and Financial Express. A structured content analysis of 400 articles was conducted using a multi-dimensional coding instrument. Findings indicate that U.S. outlets emphasized themes of human interest and international concern, whereas Bangladeshi outlets focused on conflict and protest narratives. Message themes such as justice and reform were more prevalent in local reporting, whereas global outlets focused on economic consequences and international implications. Sentiment analysis using VADER revealed divergent emotional valences, with U.S. headlines exhibiting more neutral or supportive tones compared to the largely negative framing in Bangladeshi media. Source selection also reflected institutional biases, with government officials dominating coverage in Bangladeshi outlets. U.S. outlets were more likely to include voices from protesters and experts compared to Bangladeshi outlets. Western outlets more frequently cited protesters and experts. These findings support hypotheses regarding the influence of geopolitical context and institutional pressures on media framing. This research contributes to understanding how socio-political movements are framed across different media systems.
ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5200-3850
Copyright
Mamunor Rashid 2025
Recommended Citation
Rashid, Mamunor, "Framing the 2024 Quota Reform Movement in Bangladesh: A Comparative Analysis of Media Narratives in Bangladesh and the United States" (2025). Master's Theses. 1138.
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/1138
Thesis PDF file
(Turnitin Report) Mamunor. Rashid_Thesis 20 June 2025.pdf (12274 kB)
Turnitin Report
Mamunor Rashid_Thesis_August 2025 (7.01.2025).pdf (4784 kB)
Revision file