COM3706
PORTFOLIO Semester 2 2024
Unique Number:
Due Date: 17 October 2024
A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL STORY COVERAGE IN THE MAIL & GUARDIAN
NEWSPAPER: A FIVE-ISSUE STUDY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................4
2. RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT/MAIN ISSUE .............................................4
3. SUBPROBLEMS.....................................................................................................5
4. LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................................5
DISCLAIMER4.1. The Role
& TERMS of Newspapers in Political Discourse ................................................5
OF USE
1. Educational
4.2. Aid: These
Political study notes
Coverage are designed
in South AfricantoNewspapers
serve as educational aids and should not be considered as a
..............................................6
substitute for individual research, critical thinking, or professional guidance. Students are encouraged to
conduct 4.3.
theirInternational
own extensive Perspectives
research andon Political
consult withCoverage ..............................................6
their instructors or academic advisors for specific
assignment requirements.
4.4. Themes and Narrative Styles in Political Coverage ..........................................7
2. Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the
information
4.5.provided
The Impactin these studyOwnership
of Media notes, the seller cannot Coverage
on Political guarantee ....................................7
the completeness or correctness of all
the content. It is the responsibility of the buyer to verify the accuracy of the information and use their own
4.6. Methodologies in Content Analysis Studies ......................................................8
judgment when applying it to their assignments.
3. Academic 4.7.Integrity: It is crucial
The Influence for students
of Digital Media to onuphold
Political academic
Reporting integrity and adhere to their institution's
.......................................8
policies and guidelines regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as a
4.8. Biases
tool for learning and in Political Coverage
inspiration, .............................................................................8
but any direct reproduction of the content without proper acknowledgment and
citation 4.9.
may Comparative
constitute academic
Analysismisconduct.
of Political Coverage .....................................................9
4. Limited Liability: The seller of these study notes shall not be held liable for any direct or indirect damages,
losses, or4.10. The Role arising
consequences of Newfrom
Mediathe..................................................................................9
use of the notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor grades,
academic penalties, or any other negative outcomes resulting from the application or misuse of
4.11. Conclusion .................................................................................................... 10the information
provided.
5. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: AGENDA-SETTING THEORY...........................10
5.1. Definition of Agenda-Setting Theory ...............................................................10
5.2. Key Theoretical Tenets of Agenda-Setting Theory .........................................11
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL STORY COVERAGE IN THE MAIL &
GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER: A FIVE-ISSUE STUDY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 4
2. RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT/MAIN ISSUE............................................. 4
3. SUBPROBLEMS .................................................................................................... 5
4. LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 5
4.1. The Role of Newspapers in Political Discourse ................................................ 5
4.2. Political Coverage in South African Newspapers ............................................. 6
4.3. International Perspectives on Political Coverage ............................................. 6
4.4. Themes and Narrative Styles in Political Coverage ......................................... 7
4.5. The Impact of Media Ownership on Political Coverage ................................... 7
4.6. Methodologies in Content Analysis Studies ..................................................... 8
4.7. The Influence of Digital Media on Political Reporting ....................................... 8
4.8. Biases in Political Coverage............................................................................. 8
4.9. Comparative Analysis of Political Coverage ..................................................... 9
4.10. The Role of New Media.................................................................................. 9
4.11. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 10
5. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: AGENDA-SETTING THEORY .......................... 10
5.1. Definition of Agenda-Setting Theory .............................................................. 10
5.2. Key Theoretical Tenets of Agenda-Setting Theory ........................................ 11
5.3. Arguments and Implications of Agenda-Setting Theory ................................. 11
6. RESEARCH DESIGN........................................................................................... 11
6.1. Type of Research Design............................................................................... 12
6.2. Population of the Study .................................................................................. 12
6.3. Sampling Type and Size ................................................................................ 12
6.4. Unit of Analysis .............................................................................................. 12
6.5. Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................... 13
6.6. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Characteristics .................................. 13
6.7. Justification for Mixed-Method Design ........................................................... 13
6.8. Data Collection Method and Process ............................................................. 13
6.10. Sample Size ................................................................................................. 14
6.11. Unit of Analysis................................................................................................ 14
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
6.12. Data Analysis Method .................................................................................. 14
6.13. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 15
7 PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS .................................. 15
7.1. The Leading Political Stories in the Mail & Guardian During the Week of Analysis
.............................................................................................................................. 15
7.2. The Space Occupied by Political Stories in the Mail & Guardian in Relation to
Other Themes ....................................................................................................... 16
7.3. The Location and Number of Political Stories within the Mail & Guardian ..... 16
7.4. The Angle Taken in Presenting Political Stories in the Mail & Guardian ........ 17
8. DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS ....................................................................... 17
11. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................... 19
SELF-ASSESSMENT AND SELF-REFLECTION .................................................... 21
ADDENDUM ............................................................................................................ 21
PORTFOLIO Semester 2 2024
Unique Number:
Due Date: 17 October 2024
A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL STORY COVERAGE IN THE MAIL & GUARDIAN
NEWSPAPER: A FIVE-ISSUE STUDY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................4
2. RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT/MAIN ISSUE .............................................4
3. SUBPROBLEMS.....................................................................................................5
4. LITERATURE REVIEW ..........................................................................................5
DISCLAIMER4.1. The Role
& TERMS of Newspapers in Political Discourse ................................................5
OF USE
1. Educational
4.2. Aid: These
Political study notes
Coverage are designed
in South AfricantoNewspapers
serve as educational aids and should not be considered as a
..............................................6
substitute for individual research, critical thinking, or professional guidance. Students are encouraged to
conduct 4.3.
theirInternational
own extensive Perspectives
research andon Political
consult withCoverage ..............................................6
their instructors or academic advisors for specific
assignment requirements.
4.4. Themes and Narrative Styles in Political Coverage ..........................................7
2. Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the
information
4.5.provided
The Impactin these studyOwnership
of Media notes, the seller cannot Coverage
on Political guarantee ....................................7
the completeness or correctness of all
the content. It is the responsibility of the buyer to verify the accuracy of the information and use their own
4.6. Methodologies in Content Analysis Studies ......................................................8
judgment when applying it to their assignments.
3. Academic 4.7.Integrity: It is crucial
The Influence for students
of Digital Media to onuphold
Political academic
Reporting integrity and adhere to their institution's
.......................................8
policies and guidelines regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as a
4.8. Biases
tool for learning and in Political Coverage
inspiration, .............................................................................8
but any direct reproduction of the content without proper acknowledgment and
citation 4.9.
may Comparative
constitute academic
Analysismisconduct.
of Political Coverage .....................................................9
4. Limited Liability: The seller of these study notes shall not be held liable for any direct or indirect damages,
losses, or4.10. The Role arising
consequences of Newfrom
Mediathe..................................................................................9
use of the notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor grades,
academic penalties, or any other negative outcomes resulting from the application or misuse of
4.11. Conclusion .................................................................................................... 10the information
provided.
5. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: AGENDA-SETTING THEORY...........................10
5.1. Definition of Agenda-Setting Theory ...............................................................10
5.2. Key Theoretical Tenets of Agenda-Setting Theory .........................................11
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
A CONTENT ANALYSIS OF POLITICAL STORY COVERAGE IN THE MAIL &
GUARDIAN NEWSPAPER: A FIVE-ISSUE STUDY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 4
2. RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT/MAIN ISSUE............................................. 4
3. SUBPROBLEMS .................................................................................................... 5
4. LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 5
4.1. The Role of Newspapers in Political Discourse ................................................ 5
4.2. Political Coverage in South African Newspapers ............................................. 6
4.3. International Perspectives on Political Coverage ............................................. 6
4.4. Themes and Narrative Styles in Political Coverage ......................................... 7
4.5. The Impact of Media Ownership on Political Coverage ................................... 7
4.6. Methodologies in Content Analysis Studies ..................................................... 8
4.7. The Influence of Digital Media on Political Reporting ....................................... 8
4.8. Biases in Political Coverage............................................................................. 8
4.9. Comparative Analysis of Political Coverage ..................................................... 9
4.10. The Role of New Media.................................................................................. 9
4.11. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 10
5. THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK: AGENDA-SETTING THEORY .......................... 10
5.1. Definition of Agenda-Setting Theory .............................................................. 10
5.2. Key Theoretical Tenets of Agenda-Setting Theory ........................................ 11
5.3. Arguments and Implications of Agenda-Setting Theory ................................. 11
6. RESEARCH DESIGN........................................................................................... 11
6.1. Type of Research Design............................................................................... 12
6.2. Population of the Study .................................................................................. 12
6.3. Sampling Type and Size ................................................................................ 12
6.4. Unit of Analysis .............................................................................................. 12
6.5. Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................... 13
6.6. Qualitative and Quantitative Research Characteristics .................................. 13
6.7. Justification for Mixed-Method Design ........................................................... 13
6.8. Data Collection Method and Process ............................................................. 13
6.10. Sample Size ................................................................................................. 14
6.11. Unit of Analysis................................................................................................ 14
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
6.12. Data Analysis Method .................................................................................. 14
6.13. Conclusion ................................................................................................... 15
7 PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS .................................. 15
7.1. The Leading Political Stories in the Mail & Guardian During the Week of Analysis
.............................................................................................................................. 15
7.2. The Space Occupied by Political Stories in the Mail & Guardian in Relation to
Other Themes ....................................................................................................... 16
7.3. The Location and Number of Political Stories within the Mail & Guardian ..... 16
7.4. The Angle Taken in Presenting Political Stories in the Mail & Guardian ........ 17
8. DISCUSSION OF THE FINDINGS ....................................................................... 17
11. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................... 19
SELF-ASSESSMENT AND SELF-REFLECTION .................................................... 21
ADDENDUM ............................................................................................................ 21
