Of gate-crashers and thorns : A critical discourse analysis of the representation of women politicians in Pakistani English-language newspapers

Abstract

In this study, news reports featuring Pakistani women politicians from two English-language newspapers were collected from three time periods to investigate how these politicians are being reported and if the media representation reflected a more positive trend towards the end of the periods examined. Critical discourse analysis was used to examine the 488 media texts. The findings show that in terms of negative framing, the portrayal of these women has worsened dramatically over time. The entrenched gendered power hierarchies within the political system of the nation are perceived to be the main cause of this condition.

Keywords

women politicians media representation Pakistan critical discourse analysis

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