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published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Japanese Studies / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

In 1993, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum (APEC) held the first APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM). Raising APEC interaction to the top track, the level of leaders, proved to be an effective and powerful dynamic; the AELM continues to meet annually and to shape APEC policy. The focus on the AELM as the source of vision and direction reinforces the pivotal importance of this political assemblage, reassures the populace that leaders do prevail and all is well: essential ingredients, according to Clifford Geertz, of political theater. The role of journalists, the contemporary scribes or critics, is to inform the audience of this political drama. The objective of this research is to demonstrate that real political value exists in the 'Staging of APEC' in terms of effective economic and political integration of benefit to broad regional interests. The findings draw on the results of a content analysis of news reports covering the first six years of the AELM (1993-1998). Formally, the AELM is an opportunity for regional political leaders to engage in regional policy formation outlined by the pillars of APEC (trade liberalization, facilitation and cooperation) guided by the principals of open regionalism and concerted unilateralism. Activity on the formal, or main stage, also flows to the small stage where leaders merge in a neutral venue. On this stage, leaders are free to examine distinctly non-economic, yet intersecting interests including domestic agendas, human rights and pluri-lateral security concerns. Together, these dual stages, neither one complete without the other, form the political theatre of APEC and provide the value added for the leaders and ultimately for the Asia – Pacific region.

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A standard element of many news stories that mention Islam is the 'expert.' An expert contributes what is presented as objective knowledge about Islam to a news story. Through ostensibly objective statements, an expert plays a significant role in the representation of Islam. / In this thesis I theorize the concept of an 'expert on Islam' in news media and I confirm my theoretical positions through a content analysis of two Canadian newspapers' use of the expert on Islam; these two newspapers are The Globe and Mail and The National Post. / The thesis develops two arguments based on the results of the content analysis: first, the representation of Islam and expertise on Islam in news media has more to do with the preoccupations of Western culture than with Islam itself; second, there are distinct patterns in these representations that can contribute to an understanding of the role of the 'expert' in relations of power.

This study examined environmental reporters and their attitudes toward the stories they cover. Sixteen journalists, from across the United States, who reported either full-time or part-time were asked to participate in a Q study by sorting fifty-four statements. On an 11point distribution grid from most disagree (-5) to most agree (+5).The statements were selected from a model of short term and long-term problems facing the environmental reporter. Issues raised in the statements included topics surrounding the beat. For example, do journalists who report on the environment feel frustrated by the short-term vision of reporting? Do they feel they are watchdogs for their community when reporting about environmental issues?Research revealed three factors that were labeled the "Watchdogs", the "Company People," and the "Frustrated Reporter." This study revealed that environmental reporting has emerged into a legitimate "beat" in the past thirty years. There is also a large gap between scholarly research has found and what the environmental reporter faces on a day-to-day basis while out in the field. / Department of Journalism

The current study explored how Hurricane Katrina and consecutive flooding were covered by a mainstream news media organization--the New York Times. The purpose of the study was to see and analyze if the natural disaster of such magnitude as Hurricane Katrina increased the New York Times awareness of potential risks faced by the coastal area of the United States? Can the New York Times play a role of a social change agent helping the public realize risks and be more prepared for them in the future?The researcher conducted frame analysis and 3279 paragraphs were coded in the following categories: disaster aftermath, human interest, political, responsiveness, recovery, risk, science, damage, conflict, blame frame, and other. A chi-square test was used to test the hypotheses.The first hypothesis stated: "In disaster news coverage there will be more non-risk oriented stories rather than risk oriented stories" was accepted. The secondhypothesis stated: "In stories that have risk related information there will be more quotes from officials rather than experts" was rejected.The study of the first research question: "What kinds of risks have been covered in risk framed stories?" demonstrated that reporters tend to cover more dramatic risks rather than mundane ones. The study of the second research question: "Were the sources in stories about Hurricane Katrina being quoted on subjects appropriate to their expertise?" showed that sources used in the stories were quoted according to their expertise. The study of the third question: "What kind of risk awareness (current risks) and risk prevention (hypothetical risks) coverage is there in the New York Times?" revealed that reporters tend to provide more information on current risks (risk awareness) rather than information on how to prevent future risks. / Department of Journalism

This study incorporated the framing theory—specifically, human interest, conflict, episodic, and thematic framing—to show how four newspapers in different regions framed the dogfighting controversy of former National Football League (NFL) quarterback, Michael Vick. Content analysis was conducted to determine if the newspapers’ embedded interest and cultural proximity to him impacted their coverage of the controversy. The results revealed that the type of dominant frames in culturally proximate newspapers to Vick could not be confidently predicted, but that cultural proximity could be a determinant of the amount of coverage a newspaper produces about an individual or event. The findings also indicated that newspapers with embedded interest in the Vick Controversy produced more episodic, human interest frames. In addition, the researcher provided definitions for cultural proximity and embedded interest, based upon previous literature and the study’s results, to extend knowledge in these minimally researched areas. / Department of Journalism