Textual analysis of (co-)production of humanitarian news: Case study: CNN and INGOs’ collaboration on coverage of starvation in inaccessible conflict zones

Abstract

This study employs textual analysis to examine the collaborative models of news–humanitarian coproduction by CNN and INGOs (International Non-Government Organizations) in inaccessible conflict zones. Analyzing 30 CNN newscasts and online articles, the research examines the contributions and limitations of INGOs as nontraditional actors. Findings indicate that CNN relied on INGOs to enhance three core journalistic functions: newsgathering and verification, while also inserting a moral commitment. This study sheds light on how journalistic practices and boundaries shift when limited access to a crisis zone forces news organizations to adapt alternative modes of reporting.