Kurdish Studies

ISSN: 2051-4883 | e-ISSN: 2051-4891
Email: editor@kurdishstudies.net

Unboxing the Ballot Box: A Critical Discourse Analysis of International Media Perspectives on Pakistan's 2024 General Elections

Salma Umber
Associate Professor, Department of Mass Communication, Government Collage University Faisalabad, Pakistan
Muhammad Haseeb Sarwar
Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Media, University of Narowal, Pakistan,
Muhammad Asim Khan
M.Phil Scholar, Department of Applied Linguistics, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan
Shahza Zaidi
Visiting Lecturer, Department of Mass communication, Government Collage University Faisalabad, Pakistan,
Muhammad Adil Latif
Visiting Lecturer, Department of Mass communication, Government Collage University Faisalabad, Pakistan
Keywords: International Media Coverage, Media Narratives, Diverse Perspectives, Fairclough's Model, Hegemony Theory, Instability, Elections, Pakistan, Content Analysis, Power, Ideology..

Abstract

This research looked at the impact of global agendas and alliances on worldwide media coverage of the 2024 Pakistani elections and how it influenced perceptions of the event, with an emphasis on possible components that were ignored. This research looked at selected headlines from news outlets throughout the world that covered the election. Used a qualitative content analysis method. The examination of media narratives, power relations, and ideological effects was driven by Fairclough's (1989, 2003) three-dimensional model (text, discourse practice, and social practice) and Gramsci's (1971) Hegemony Theory. Data was collected from a wide range of worldwide news sites, including Al Jazeera, The Guardian, Bloomberg, The New York Times, The Independent, Sky News, Time Magazine, France 24, India Today, CNBC, Financial Times, CBC News, Voice of America, Hindustan Times, and BBC News, each of which represents a different area and political ideology. The headlines were coded manually in order to find commonalities, framing decisions, and any elements that were neglected. Uncertainty, instability, and possible anomalies were usually front and center in the news. The narratives represent global interests and ideological stances via their different agendas and alliances. The investigation uncovered previously unnoticed details, such as varied viewpoints, potential explanations beyond initial assumptions, and the effect on certain socioeconomic groups in Pakistan. The way the international media covers complicated events, such as elections, has an impact on many people's perceptions of them. All eyes on the elected administration are drawn to this, casting doubt on its legitimacy. The results show that media stories have the power to either support existing views or challenge them. Furthermore, the investigation reveals the possible minimization of the agency of the Pakistani people and the exclusion of key players. In addition to shedding light on the role of varied viewpoints and critical analysis in shaping public views of complicated events, this research calls for more inclusive and nuanced media practices as a means to promote responsible journalism. This area needs more in-depth analysis of the media environment in Pakistan and interviews with local media and voices, as it only uses small extracts.

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Keywords

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