Pro-government and Pro-opposition Newspaper Coverage of the Zhanaozen Conflict in Kazakhstan

This study examines the coverage of a conflict on December 16, 2011, between protesters and government security services in the oil town of Zhanaozen in western Kazakhstan during the celebrations of the 20^th anniversary of the country’s independence. The study looks into the coverage of the Zhanaozen conflict by four newspapers published in Kazakhstan – the pro-government <i>Kazakhstanskaya Pravda</i> and <i>Karavan</i> and the pro-opposition <i>Golos Respubliki</i> and <i>Vzglyad</i>. A textual analysis of articles was used to establish whether the coverage of the same events by these newspapers differed and, if so, how. Results showed that the pro-government newspapers had blamed the conflict on the rioters and opposition, while shielding government security forces. They also relied solely on the official accounts of the conflict. The findings showed that the pro-opposition newspapers covered the conflict from both sides and helped the sides engage in communication. The findings also established that the pro-government newspapers made significantly less contribution to the resolution of the conflict than the pro-opposition newspapers. By comparing the coverage of the Zhanaozen conflict in pro-government and pro-opposition newspapers, the study offered a better understanding of the conflict, including its causes, resolution of the conflict, and the role of media in executing the basic principles of peace journalism in the context of social conflict.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Journalism (Communication)

Grantor dc:publisher

Ohio University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Bissenov, Naubet

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kalyango, Yusuf

• Asian Studies
• Journalism
• Labor Relations
• Mass Communications
• Mass Media
• Kazakhstan
• Zhanaozen
• conflict
• oil workers
• Ozenmunaygaz
• Mangystau

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1357657453

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:ohiou1357657453