Visual Framing of Afghan Refugees in Global News Media

Abstract

This study content analyzed visual frames of Afghan refugees during the first six months of the Taliban’s second regime (from August 15, 2021, to February 15, 2022). A total of N = 1,948 images from the Associated Press were quantitatively analyzed for focal point, topic, tone, depiction, gender, and age. The findings indicate that Afghan refugees were predominantly the primary focal points of the AP images, with significantly more positive and active frames than negative and passive frames. In contrast to previous research on the framing of Afghan women in Western media before the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, Afghan women were framed significantly as more positive and active than Afghan men in the photos.

Additional information

Funding

We would like to thank the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) Liberal Arts College for funding the copyright purchase of four photos in this article.

Notes on contributors

Shugofa Dastgeer

Shugofa Dastgeer is a researcher, professor, and former news anchor and producer. She received her PhD from the University of Oklahoma with a focus on journalism, communication, digital media, and social networks. Dr. Dastgeer is an assistant professor of journalism at Texas Christian University. Her research areas include political communication, visual communication, digital media, news and journalism, social networks, media sociology, freedom of speech, and gender and minorities.

E-mail: [email protected]

Desiree N. Hill

Desiree N. Hill is a researcher, professor, former television news executive, and documentary filmmaker. She received her PhD from the University of Oklahoma with a concentration on journalism, media management, and journalists and trauma. She is currently the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the University of Oklahoma.