Reframing the Taliban
A critical discourse analysis of media narratives in Pakistan, China and the United States
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12904656 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Iffat Ali Aksar (0000-0002-7529-9698, Xiamen University Malaysia), M A Imran (0000-0002-2934-2982, The University of Adelaide, corresponding author), Jiangu Gong (0000-0003-3785-7449, University of Malaya), Haroon Ur Rasheed Baloch (0000-0001-7675-9863, National University of Modern Languages) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publication date | 2025-07-20 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Media War & Conflict (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1750-6352 • E-ISSN: 1750-6360 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/17506352251355506 |
| OpenAlex | W4412496003 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 25 |
This article explores the media representation of the Taliban in Pakistan, China and the US following their 2021 return to power. Employing Fairclough’s (1992) critical discourse analysis framework outlined in his article in Discourse & Society 3(2), the study compares The New York Times, Dawn and China Daily narratives depicting the Taliban rule between 2021 and 2024. The authors reveal how national interests and geopolitical factors influence these portrayals. The US media typically frames the Taliban as a threat to global stability and human rights, particularly regarding treatment of women. In contrast, the media in Pakistan and China adopt a more pragmatic stance, emphasizing regional security, stability and economic cooperation. The analysis highlights the historical, political and ideological contexts that underpin these differing perspectives. Ultimately, this study enhances our understanding of the media’s role in shaping international discourse, demonstrating how news outlets reflect the strategic interests of their respective nations
Art · China · Cognitive reframing · Critical discourse analysis · Discourse analysis · Frame analysis · Ideology · Literature · Media studies · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Sociology · Gender Studies · Global Security and Public Health · Law · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East · Psychology · Social Psychology · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence
Discourse and Practice
An Application of Hierarchical Kappa-type Statistics in the Assessment of Majority Agreement among Multiple Observers
Rethinking Political Communication in a Time of Disrupted Public Spheres
The Ideological Trajectory within the Taliban Movement in Afghanistan
Coverage of Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in the international press
Internationalizing Media Studies
Communication Strategies on Twitter
India–China rivalry, China–Pakistan quasi-alliance, terrorism, and asymmetric balancing
One year on from the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan
Discourse and Text
Discourse Semantics and Ideology
The China–Pakistan–United States Strategic Triangle
Reframing the Iraq War
Media framing biases and political power
News Framing and Public Support for a Common Foreign and Security Policy
Legitimizing Immigration Control
Framing
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |