Abstract
This study analyzes how two of the most popular and partisan cable news networks in the U.S., FOX and MSNBC, framed victims and officers in their coverage of cases where officers kill Black men. In addition, this work investigates how these networks discuss systemic racism. Using Feagin's white racial frame as a framework and critical discourse analysis as an analytical tool, the findings show that both networks exhibited anti-Black and pro-White framing within their reports. However, how these frames manifested differed across the networks, displaying differing similarities. Most notably, when counter-framing was present on MSNBC, they still perpetuated the anti-Black and pro-White subframes. These results have implications for how the white racial frame should be expanded to account for the different ways the frame could manifest in different communities with different ideologies. In addition, the results make a strong case for alternative news sources that prioritize amplifying the voices of racially marginalized communities and presenting counter frames that challenge dominant narratives and disrupt the white racial frame.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Andrea C. and Cox, Jonathan M.
(2024)
"Breaking news: The presence of the White racial frame in partisan cable news networks’ coverage of officers killing Black victims,"
Journal of Critical Race and Ethnic Studies: Vol. 2:
Iss.
1, Article 4.
https://doi.org/10.24073/jcres/02/01/04.1