Framing is the use of
communication material, tool, activities that identify a “value statement” that
makes individuals to think differently as well as to engage them in learning
more (Arias, 2008). Increasing popularity of use of framing by media carries
multiple issues and the mode of presentation exerting multiple effects (Vreese,
2005). Media plays an important role in emphasizing relationships among the
neighboring countries. The framing technique has become essential in drawing
public attention towards the enemies or friends of a particular country.
According to Soroka (2003) now, understanding nature and the magnitude of media
framing of foreign relations and the reported issues has become an important
endeavor in the light of shaping public opinions regarding foreign countries and
policy making. (MATTHES, 2010) defines International Relations as understanding
the state of foreign affairs and the mode of neighboring relations.
Melischek & Seethaler (2008) argue that framing of a particular issue can exert
influence as people follow the frames as to have good understanding about the
issue. It seems to be true for foreign and international relations and their
issues that may involve the role of political actors. Saleem (2006) argues that
media is playing a leading role in framing other countries’ images in such a
striking way that the image is constructed. He provides the definition of image
as “Image is a conceptual picture in the mind of a person about a person, thing
or a country”. Further defining the image Simons (2008) finds that media framing
can act as an opportunity or a threat for both the sides involved in an issue
even the conflictive relations.
War and peace frames are used in analyzing the foreign country’s image.
Similarly, Abubakar (2011) states that Media frames are used to construct the
type of influence on which media works devotedly. Moeller (2008) identifies that
media use frames to talk about the state which is in crisis. This is evident in
the example of war in Afghanistan and Iraq. The frames used by media in
depicting the war are called “invasion and reconstruction stories’ related to
the depiction of Afghanistan and Iraq. Papacharissi & Oliveira (2008) compare
framing analysis of reporting terrorism by U.S and U.K newspapers. They use
combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. The results reveal that U.S
uses episodic coverage whereas U.K uses thematic coverage of terrorism. U.S is
focusing on the importance of military and the approach used by the military
authorities whereas U.K newspapers are more inclined towards diplomatic
evaluation of terrorist’s events. Particular media of the country spin the
information to draw the attention towards the issue important for the authority.
Framing theory states that media function with the distinction: “The media power
is not so much about telling people what to think, but rather to tell people
what to think about” (Kernochan, 2004). Related to politics and international
relations, the media relatively set the news frames as to enable readers and
viewers to discuss the prominent events (Scheufele, 1999). By analyzing this
notion the prominent events can be at domestic level or may involve countries
and their relations. Hence, the media can be utilized as an instrument in giving
prominence to various events prominent in making and breaking neighboring
relations. Khan (2010) investigates the need of hour as for developing friendly
relations with other countries for national consensus. The requirement is to
direct every effort in bringing the period of turmoil to an end.