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Previous research suggests that mainstream media coverage around the world follows a “protest paradigm” that demonizes protesters and marginalizes their causes. Given the recent increase in global protest activity and the growing importance of social media for activism, this paper content analyzes 1,438 protest-related English and Spanish news stor...
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... and RQ2 a-d considered 1) how protest type and location and 2) media outlet language and location might predict adherence to the framing components of the protest paradigm. Four binary logistical regressions were run with the a) riot, b) confrontation, c) spectacle, and d) debate frames as the dependent variables (Tables 1-4). ...Similar publications
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... For instance, the speed of response to crises (such as natural disasters or political scandals) can affect the capacity to mobilize public opinion [16]. Similarly, the duration of interest in a particular issue, whether it be a social movement or cultural event, influences how long it remains in the media spotlight and sustains public support [17]. Therefore, this study concentrates on analyzing the dissemination of content within a decentralized social network environment, where user interaction is key in determining which information gets amplified and how it circulates. ...
In an era where social media shapes public opinion, understanding information spreading is key to grasping its broader impact. This paper explores the intricacies of information diffusion on Twitter, emphasizing the significant influence of content saturation on user engagement and retweet behaviors. We introduce a diffusion model that quantifies the likelihood of retweeting relative to the number of accounts a user follows. Our findings reveal a significant negative correlation where users following many accounts are less likely to retweet, suggesting a saturation effect in which exposure to information overload reduces engagement. We validate our model through simulations, demonstrating its ability to replicate real-world retweet network characteristics, including diffusion size and structural properties. Additionally, we explore this saturation effect on the temporal behavior of retweets, revealing that retweet intervals follow a stretched exponential distribution, which better captures the gradual decline in engagement over time. Our results underscore the competitive nature of information diffusion in social networks, where tweets have short lifespans and are quickly replaced by new information. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of content propagation mechanisms, offering a model with broad applicability across contexts, and highlights the importance of information overload in structural and temporal social media dynamics.
... Studies have provided nuanced answers to that question, observing that legacy media, both local and foreign, occasionally recognise the legitimacy of demonstrations, including those focussed on environmental topics (Kilgo and Harlow, 2019;Jiménez-Martínez, 2021;Cammaerts, 2024). They have also noted that the reliance of legacy media on legitimising or delegitimising narratives is contingent (Harlow, Kilgo, Salaverría and García-Perdomo, 2020), and that the interests of news organisations may conflict with those of authorities (Shahin, Zheng, Sturm and Fadnis, 2016). ...
... This study is anchored in several theories that align with nomadism. On the other hand, other studies showed the type of protest, its location, and type of media outlet were significantly related to whether news stories adhered to the protest paradigm (Harlow et al., 2020). Moreover, the findings highlighted that the conflict actors formed frames such as identity-relational, affective-intellectual, and compromise-win frames as the drivers of the conflict (Boateng, 2020). ...
This research aimed to investigate the nomadic lifestyle of the Blaan tribe, focusing on the life situation of the Blaan people in Davao Occidental. It explored the lived experiences of these nomadic people, their coping mechanisms, and their insights into engaging in a nomadic way of life. The study employed a qualitative research approach, specifically a phenomenological study design. A purposive sampling method was used to select participants. The results yielded four essential themes reflecting the lived experiences of the nomadic people: Limited Access to Basic Needs, Environmental Vulnerability, Limited Economic Opportunities, and Social Marginalization. Three themes were identified regarding the coping mechanisms employed by the nomadic people: Embrace Flexibility, Practice Mindfulness in All Ways, and Set Goals. Regarding the insights of the nomadic people, three themes emerged: Cultural Awareness, Adaptability, and Goal Setting. The findings highlight the need for policymakers and organizations to address the basic needs of the Blaan tribe, including food, water, shelter, and healthcare. Environmental protection efforts are crucial to support their nomadic lifestyle, while sustainable livelihood opportunities could improve their economic situation. To combat social marginalization, initiatives should focus on raising awareness and understanding of nomadic cultures.
... In addition, the prevalence of specific frames is socially contingent (Harlow, Brown, Salaverría, & García-Perdomo, 2020), and support for either peaceful or violent protests varies according to a society's past (Murdie & Purser, 2017). ...
Although the "protest paradigm" remains the default analytical framework in mediated protest studies, recent scholarship has questioned its explanatory capacity, particularly in light of changes to collective action and the increasing criminalization of protests. We advance these discussions by analyzing 361 reports on the 2019 Chilean uprising aired on both a private and a public broadcasting station, using television coverage as a heuristic device. Drawing on Chan and Lee's original argument describing the existence of several protest paradigms, as well as debates on policing demonstrations, we propose that 2 paradigms were at play in the coverage: an "antagonistic" one, which delegitimizes and marginalizes dissent, and a "paternalistic" one, which celebrates "good" protesters and "well-behaved" collective action. These paradigms echo developments in policing protests, with journalists manufacturing what we call media kettling, a type of coverage that celebrates the right to protest but severely restricts collective action.
... With the advent of advanced communication technologies and the rise of social media platforms, protesters have gained increased agency in shaping their narratives and bypassing traditional channels of media representation (Dumitrica & Bakardjieva, 2018). As a result, protest coverage has witnessed a transformation marked by more positive framing, deeper analysis of the protesters' causes and methods, and decreased reliance on institutional sources (DeLuca et al., 2012;Harlow & Brown, 2023;Harlow et al., 2017Harlow et al., , 2020Li et al., 2023). ...
... This shift is characterized by a more positive framing of protests, encompassing a deeper examination of their underlying causes, methods, and goals. Moreover, this change is accompanied by a reduced reliance on institutional sources of information (DeLuca et al., 2012;Harlow & Brown, 2023;Harlow et al., 2017Harlow et al., , 2020Li et al., 2023). These trends are also observable within the context of Israel, as evidenced by the coverage of the 2011 social protest movement (Lev-On, 2019, 2020Shultziner & Shoshan, 2018). ...
When reporting on protests, the mainstream media often adopts the "protest paradigm," a set of "rules of thumb" determining which events receive coverage and how they are framed. Events challenging the status quo are often portrayed negatively. Coverage is often episodic rather than thematic, relying heavily on official sources. Additionally, protest coverage is often reactive rather than proactive. However, research indicates that there has been a shift in the coverage of protests since the early 2000s, whereby protests are framed more positively, with a greater emphasis on the causes, methods, and goals of the protesters, while reliance on institutional sources for coverage decreases. This study offers a dual contribution. Firstly, it extends the application of the protest paradigm to social media-based protests, an area that has received limited attention in existing literature. Secondly, by combining content analysis with digital netnography, this research provides a comprehensive understanding of both the content and the contextual dynamics of the protest for justice for Roman Zadorov, considering its distinctive context, scale, and scope of participation. The findings reveal a mixed framing of the protest. Framing is predominantly thematic rather than episodic, and most interviewees are activists rather than establishment figures. Nevertheless, the establishment still holds the power to proactively shape agendas, with protesters lacking comparable resources, connections, and capabilities.
... On the other hand, in previous research there was no mention of political communication via social media other than Instagram in realizing e-democracy in community involvement (Rahmah, 2021). This shows that political branding is also influenced by the target and social media platform used (Agur & Frisch, 2019;Cooky & Antunovic, 2020;Harlow et al., 2020). ...
This Research explores the social media used to advocate the issues in Surakarta city, in this case, using the social media specific to the Twitter data of the mayor of Surakarta, Gibran Rakabuming Raka (@gibran_tweet). This Research uses Qualitative approach and analysis data with Qualitative Data Analysis Software (Q-DAS). This Research founds that First, The social media content dichotomy of account Gibran Rakabuming Raka as Mayor of Surakarta's dominance of social media as part of reports tolls shows that social media can access everyone to report about the social infrastructure and other problems in Surakarta City. Second, the activity of the account of Gibran Rakbuming Raka focuses only on Surakarta city content. Third, the narration dominance with words related to the location Surakarta or Solo, indicated that the content of Gibran Rakabuming Raka as mayor of Surakata or Solo refers to the specific area in Solo or Surakarta, shows that the content dominance for local content of solo or Surakarta.
... Media coverage plays a crucial role in shaping public perception regarding the legitimacy and objectives of a movement (Seguin, 2016). Contemporary research indicates a trend in media coverage of social activism towards a richer diversity of nuanced viewpoints (Harlow et al., 2020), moving away from endorsing prevailing power dynamics (Shoemaker & Reese, 1996). This evolution is attributed in part to the emergence of niche media markets (Stroud, 2011) and the symbiotic relationship between news outlets and social media platforms (Conway et al., 2015). ...
... When media do cover protests they often frame them by what McLeod andHertzog (1992, 1999) characterized as the protest paradigm, where media delegitimize and marginalize political protests and give little attention to the agenda of movements because they rely heavily on official sources. Recent research by Harlow and Kilgo demonstrates the protest paradigm has guided coverage of protests such as the Ferguson, MO police shooting of Michael Brown and the #BlackLivesMatter (Harlow, 2019;Kilgo, & Harlow, 2019;Kilgo & Mourão 2019;Mourão, Kilgo, & Sylvie, 2018) to large protests around the world (Harlow & Johnson, 2011;Kilgo, Harlow, García-Perdomo, & Salaverría, 2018;Kilgo, Salaverría, & García-Perdomo, 2020;Harlow, Salaverría, Kilgo, & García-Perdomo, 2017;Valenzuela, 2013;Valenzuela, Arriagada, & Scherman, 2012. Valenzuela, Somma, Scherman, and Arriagada (2016) noted that social media could play three central roles in engaging people in protest: serving as a source of news, acting as a place for political expression, and serving as a tool for both mobilizing information as well joining a cause. ...
Human behavior in cyber space is extremely complex. Change is the only constant as technologies and social contexts evolve rapidly. This leads to new behaviors in cybersecurity, Facebook use, smartphone habits, social networking, and many more. Scientific research in this area is becoming an established field and has already generated a broad range of social impacts. Alongside the four key elements (users, technologies, activities, and effects), the text covers cyber law, business, health, governance, education, and many other fields. Written by international scholars from a wide range of disciplines, this handbook brings all these aspects together in a clear, user-friendly format. After introducing the history and development of the field, each chapter synthesizes the most recent advances in key topics, highlights leading scholars and their major achievements, and identifies core future directions. It is the ideal overview of the field for researchers, scholars, and students alike.
... Most protests take place at fixed times and locations and are directly observed by only a small number of people. Even though social media have expanded protest movements' reach significantly (Harlow et al., 2020(Harlow et al., , 2017, their resources to share their actions are typically limited. Because they depend on media coverage andits outreach to efficiently transfer their communicative acts to reference publics, political actos, or the broader audience (Juris, 2015;Lipsky, 1968), social movements often create local public protests, performances, and "disruptive direct action(s) on behalf of collective interests, in which claims were made against some other group, elites, or authorities" (Tarrow, 1989, p. 359). ...
... It offers an explanation for the negative portrayals of protest in the media, considers the possible effects of that biased representation, and provides a basis for developing practices that media organizations can use to reduce their negative impact on protests and their perception (Boyle et al., 2004(Boyle et al., , 2012McLeod, 2007;McLeod & Detenber, 1999). As political protest constantly struggles with the problem of activating third parties and gaining support from the broader public (Lipsky, 1968), activists also employ provocative, sometimes radical communicative practices and attention-grabbing visual choreographies to compel coverage (Harlow et al., 2020). Yet, journalists, who perceive protest groups as radical, marginalize and delegitimize them in their coverage (Shoemaker 1984). ...
Media coverage of protest, particularly its visual framing, is crucial to the legitimacy and impact of protest movements. Typical patterns in media coverage of protests, which account for discrepancies between how protests are portrayed, are the protest paradigm, and, WUNC (worthy, united numbers, commitment). In order to investigate how specific visual items and features of media images showing political protest elicit positive or negative perceptions and annotations by an audience, we study two questions: Which visual features in media images of protest elicit positive or negative perceptions and annotations by an audience? How do these perceptions correspond with the protest paradigm and WUNC, respectively? We answer these questions by conducting a qualitative focus group study with students from a mid-size German university.
... Moreover, the delegitimizing news coverage is more intense for protest movements that follow radical goals and employ extreme tactics, as this tends to lead news media to stricter adherence to the protest paradigm (Lee 2014;McLeod and Hertog 1999). Adherence to the protest paradigm is also greater for protests organized around issues of race (Harlow et al. 2020;Brown and Harlow 2019). The upshot of the protest paradigm here is that violent confrontations and property damage that occurs in the context of a protest will not only attract media attention, but such events tend to dominate the focus of the resultant news coverage. ...
The murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer on 25 May 2020, sparked widespread protests led by the Black Lives Matter movement throughout the summer of 2020. Subsequent news coverage of these protests prominently featured acts of civil disobedience even though almost all protests were peaceful. In turn, protest “violence” was picked up by conservative political elites as evidence to promote legislation to control protests and keep communities safe. Since summer 2020, eight states have passed such legislation with additional bills pending in 21 states, raising concerns that the legislation suppresses political expression. This paper brings together literature on free expression, the protest paradigm, and news framing to provide the basis for a quantitative and qualitative analysis of 379 news stories and editorials covering Florida’s HB1 protest legislation. Results reveal that the most frequent news frame was fighting crime, with relatively less attention to free expression, political strategy, and race frames. In addition, very little attention was paid to the legislation’s potential chilling effects suppressing constitutionally protected speech and assembly. These results indicate news media were deficient in providing the public with a sufficient assessment of the implications of protest legislation.
