A Comparative Study Of Media Framing And Narratives By Shillong-Based Newspaper On The 1979 And 2018 Social Conflicts

Abstract

This article analyses the journalistic perspective to delve into the intricate social fabric and cultural nuances of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya in North-East India. Given Shillong's unique characteristic as an old capital and its transition deserves attention, particularly concerning its people and their diverse cultural expressions. The paper investigates into the historical development and contemporary life of Shillong, challenging the perception of the city as a mere cosmopolitan haven, which is also reflective of the state’s overall perception as well. Through a comprehensive critical analysis of historical archives, this study aims to present a holistic view of Shillong's social landscape. An emphasis is placed on understanding the challenges and fragilities in Shillong's cosmopolitan identity. Contrary to common assumptions, deep-seated social and cultural divisions have influenced the city's social geography from its inception. As Everett M. Rogers (1976) puts “development is a widely participatory process of social change in a society intended to bring about social and material advancement for the majority of the people through gaining greater control over the environment.”

This paper analyses the journalistic narratives during the times of conflict. The paper specifically looks at the building and deployment of frames by respective media houses, drawing comparison between the English dailies and the vernacular Khasi dailies. This paper also draws comparison between different eras as the paper analyses papers from 1979 and 2018, to look at the change in language and editorial standpoints. Content analysis method was used on archival material to analyse the data and the derivatives using quantitative research methods.