Visual Framing of the Rohingya Refugees

A Comparative Examination from Newspapers in four Countries

Bibliographic Data

ID21747752
AuthorsBimbisar Irom (0000-0003-0452-834X, Twitter (United States)), Porismita Borah (0000-0002-1140-4233, Twitter (United States)), Stephanie Gibbons (0000-0001-9049-7927, Twitter (United States))
Year2022
Volume29
Issue3
Pages194-209
Publication date2022-07-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueVisual Communication Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1555-1393 • E-ISSN: 1555-1407
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15551393.2022.2096030
OpenAlexW4285390299
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited67

Media depictions of refugees play a significant role in determining public attitudes toward policies and dispensation of aid. Given this centrality, the study analyzes prominent visual frames of the Rohingya refugee crisis in newspapers from Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United States, and Canada. We also examine the frames qualitatively. Findings show that overall coverage tended to focus on negative aspects by highlighting refugees’ vast numbers, vulnerability, gendered stereotypes, and dependence on Western benevolence. Results show cross-cultural appeal of frames such as “Exodus” and “mother and child,” both of which have roots in the Biblical tradition. Even though visuals came from different sources, there were not many differences among the newspapers. This suggests the role of standardized journalistic routines across multiple organizations

Appeal · Criminology · Media studies · Newspaper · Political science · Refugee · Sociology · Gender Studies · History · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Middle East and Rwanda Conflicts · Migration, Refugees, and Integration

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