Framing conflict in Kazakhstan: a comparative analysis of Kazakh, Russian, and U.K. news outlets

Abstract

Experts who study conflicts in Kazakhstan believe that local and foreign news outlets played a significant role in the construction of the social reality of these conflicts. This study identified the frames used to report news of the January 2022 riots in Kazakhstan. The study examined news reports from Kazakh, Russia, and British news sources to identify how news was framed, and how evidence was used. Twelve frames were identified, with a few that were unique to each medium. The use of evidence focused on official sources and was limited due to government control. The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Keywords:

• Kazakh media
• conflict
• framing
• international journalism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nazerke Mussa

Nazerke Mussa is a dedicated journalist and a third-year doctoral candidate at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and serves as the chief editor of an online media outlet in Kazakhstan.

Karlyga Myssayeva

Karlyga Myssayeva is an Associate Professor and Associate Dean with the Journalism Faculty at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. She studies media and social change.

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is an Emeritus Professor with the Communication and Journalism Department at the University of Wyoming. He specializes in media history and visual communication.