MEDIA DISCOURSE ON BENAZIR ASSASSINATION AND SYMPATHETIC VOTING PATTERN IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

This research examines the relationship between media and individuals after the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. It accounts for the mechanism set by the media which took one simple step to induce sympathy among people by way of framing the incident in favour of the deceased. This ultimately resulted into an immense driving force for ‘sympathetic voting’, eventually bringing about Pakistan People’s Party to emerge on top in the 2008’s general elections. The research theoretically dwells on the theory of framing and identifies media direction of framing the assassination. The methodology employed is qualitative analysis using interpretative textual analysis and content analysis. It presents a comprehensive explanation of the findings with respect to various aspects that shape public opinion. The key findings show that media did create sympathy among people which resulted in sympathy voting and this sympathy implanted by the media was a result of how media framed the assassination.

Keywords: Framing; sympathy vote, female politicians, content analysis; media discourse.