‘Global Media’ Coverage Of The Zdf Intervention In Governance In Zimbabwe: The Case Of Al Jazeera And Bbc

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION BY STUDENT ................................................................................................ ii

DECLARATION BY SUPERVISOR ........................................................................................ iii

DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................. iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... v

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................................. vi

ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................... vii

LIST OF APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................ ix

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1

1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Background of the study ................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Statement of the Problem .................................................................................................. 6

1.3 Objectives............................................................................................................................ 6

1.4 Research Questions ............................................................................................................ 6

1.5 Significance of the study .................................................................................................... 7

1.6 Assumptions........................................................................................................................ 7

1.7 Delimitations ....................................................................................................................... 8

1.8 Limitations .......................................................................................................................... 8

1.9 Structure of the Study ....................................................................................................... 9

1.10 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................... 10

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ............ 11

2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 11

2.1 An overview of global media ........................................................................................... 11

2.2 Sociology of News – news as social construct ................................................................ 13

2.3 Coverage of African Issues by the global media. .......................................................... 16

2.4 Coverage of military takeover/coups by the media ...................................................... 19

2.5 Post 2000 Coverage of Zimbabwe issues by the Global Media .................................... 20

DISSERTATION – MMSS (R172671H)

GLOBAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ZDF'S INTERVENTION IN

GOVERNANCE IN ZIMBABWE: THE CASE OF AL JAZEERA AND BBC

x

2.6 Framing Theory ............................................................................................................... 21

2.7 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................... 27

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ..................................................................... 28

3.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 28

3.1 Research Paradigm .......................................................................................................... 28

3.2 Research Design ............................................................................................................... 29

3.3 Population ......................................................................................................................... 33

3.4 Unit of Analysis ................................................................................................................ 33

3.5 Sampling Approach ......................................................................................................... 33

3.6 Methods of Data Gathering............................................................................................. 35

3.7 Methods of Data Analysis ................................................................................................ 35

3.7.1 Textual analysis ................................................................................................................ 36

3.7.2 Critical Discourse Analysis ............................................................................................. 37

3.8 Methods of Data Presentations ....................................................................................... 40

3.9 Qualitative research and issues of validity, objectivity and reliability ....................... 41

3.10 Ethical Considerations..................................................................................................... 42

3.11 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................... 42

CHAPTER 4: ORGANISATIONAL ANALYSIS ................................................................... 44

4.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 44

4.1 Al Jazeera historical background ................................................................................... 44

4.1.1 Al Jazeera Ownership, structure and control ............................................................... 48

4.1.2 Al Jazeera’s Editorial policy ........................................................................................... 48

4.2 The BBC historical background ..................................................................................... 49

4.2.2 BBC’s Editorial policy ..................................................................................................... 52

4.2.3 The role of Advertisers in the BBC ................................................................................ 53

4.3 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................... 54

CHAPTER 5: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION ................................................... 55

5.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 55

DISSERTATION – MMSS (R172671H)

GLOBAL MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE ZDF'S INTERVENTION IN

GOVERNANCE IN ZIMBABWE: THE CASE OF AL JAZEERA AND BBC

xi

5.1 Zimbabwe Military in ZANU-PF Leadership Contest (Al Jazeera and BBC) .......... 55

5.2 Coup or not coup? (Al Jazeera and The BBC).............................................................. 58

5.3 Hero, Liberator and Father (BBC) ................................................................................ 62

5.4 Dictator, Villain, Despot (Al Jazeera and BBC)............................................................ 63

5.5 Mugabe, humiliated and powerless (Al Jazeera and BBC).......................................... 65

5.6 Uncertainty and optimism after army takeover (BBC and Al Jazeera) ..................... 68

5.7 A New Era of hope for Zimbabweans (Al Jazeera and BBC) ..................................... 69

5.8 Chapter Summary ........................................................................................................... 71

CHAPTER 6: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................... 72

6.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 72

6.1 Concluding Remarks ....................................................................................................... 72

6.2 Suggestions for further study .......................................................................................... 73

6.3 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 74

References .................................................................................................................................... 75

APPENDIX A: ARTICLES FROM AL JAZEERA ................................................................ 83

APPENDIX B: ARTICLES FROM BBC .................................................................................