Abstract Summary/Description
The media’s portrayal of crises plays a crucial role in shaping public perceptions and reactions, often setting the tone for how incidents are understood and addressed within society. Previous studies on framing theory suggest that media frames shape public perception by emphasizing certain aspects of events while downplaying others, thereby influencing public understanding and response. This research examines how major news outlets in the United States frame crime and crisis incidents, such as mass shootings, crowd stampedes, severe weather, and logistical crises at events, by analyzing the types and frequencies of frames used in five elite, large-circulation publications across major U.S. metropolises. Building on prior research, this study employs a content analysis approach to categorize the frames used—specifically, attribution of responsibility, human interest, conflict, morality, and economic impact. News articles will be collected through an electronic database search in LexisNexis, using relevant keywords such as event names and organizer names. The findings will identify the most frequently used frames in crime coverage (e.g., attribution of responsibility, human interest, conflict, morality, and economic impact) and analyze how these frames vary by crisis type, providing insights into how framing choices influence public perception. This research has practical implications for crisis managers, offering guidance on crafting response strategies aligned with media framing patterns, such as addressing economic impacts when an economic frame is dominant or emphasizing organizational responsibility when framed as an organizational failure. Additionally, findings should provide implications for event organizers and businesses in areas like risk, reputation, and revenue management, relationship management, and leadership roles, enhancing preparedness and strategic response to crises.
