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On the “right” path? – Analyzing recent breaking news coverage of right-extremist attacks in German media

Roehm, Ann-Sophie Katharina
http://orcid.org/0009-0008-7643-045X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1689919306990507

Abstract Details

2023, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Germanic Languages and Literatures.
This dissertation examines how the largest and most-read German newspapers cover right-extremist attacks by analyzing breaking news stories. Many sociological studies have investigated the influence of media, and especially breaking news, on the reader and shaping public opinion. Breaking news often prioritizes fast publication over detailed research, which can lead to false reporting. False facts can be retracted when reporting further on the matter, but the same does not apply to the tone, images, and metaphors set during initial reporting. First, this dissertation identifies the terms and images reporters use to describe the attacks in the initial reporting. Then, using critical discourse analysis, I group them into different categories. I predict that various trends can be identified through my findings. Are specific terms more prevalent than others? In what context are they used? Are various groups labeled differently depending on religious background, appearance, etc.? Next, I investigate how the different outlets utilize different terms and analyze the accompanying implications. Are specific terms used to imply concepts of guilt or innocence, and how are they used across media outlets and cases? Are certain metaphors more prevalent than others, and how do they evolve across different cases? Lastly, this dissertation lays out my findings and ways to improve media coverage while discussing further research into covering right-extremist attacks. Understanding how rhetoric is used is an important first step to analyzing the implications for the reader. Analyzing these stories considering how the terminology is used will eventually benefit journalists and studies of media bias. I aim to contribute to a more conscious use of terminology i when covering sensitive topics, like right-extremist attacks, so journalism can live up to its reputation that deems it objective, reputable, and credible. I focus on the following primary source material: die Zeit, der Spiegel, Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), Bild, and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), describing the attacks. I will discuss why I chose these media outlets and explain the thought process behind my chosen cases. I look at the breaking news coverage of these five newspapers regarding the attacks of the so- called “Nationalsozialistischer Untergrund” (NSU) from 2000- 2006, the shooting in the Olympia-Einkaufszentrum (OEZ) in München in July 2016, the attack on politician Walter Lübcke in June 2019, the attack in Halle in October 2019, and the attack in Hanau in February 2020. My goal is to provoke reflection and to point out the benefits of interdisciplinary work. Journalism, as well as sociological studies, could benefit from works in media studies and discourse analysis, which can help identify strengths and points of improvement regarding how the media discuss this complex subject. The topic of right-extremism and how to best report on it has been prevalent in the last couple of years, and I aim to contribute to that conversation with my research.g
Matthew Birkhold (Advisor)
Robert Holub (Committee Member)
Katra Byram (Committee Member)
Ila Nagar (Committee Member)
170 p.
Germanic Literature; Linguistics

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Roehm, A.-S. K. (2023). On the “right” path? – Analyzing recent breaking news coverage of right-extremist attacks in German media [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1689919306990507

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Roehm, Ann-Sophie. On the “right” path? – Analyzing recent breaking news coverage of right-extremist attacks in German media. 2023. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1689919306990507.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Roehm, Ann-Sophie. "On the “right” path? – Analyzing recent breaking news coverage of right-extremist attacks in German media." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1689919306990507

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1689919306990507
193
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.