Communication ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-15-2024

Abstract

ABSTRACT

This dissertation examines how ideologically loaded news media representations advanced the complex and ambiguous process of racialization of the Rohingyas, an ethnic Muslim minority in Myanmar. This study first interrogates the dominant patterns in news sourcing and thematic emphasis in the coverage of Rohingya; secondly, it sheds light on how these representations contribute to reproducing dominant ideologies and power relations. I selected two English-language newspapers published in Myanmar: The Global New Light of Myanmar and the Myanmar Times. I applied the notions of media representation (Hall, 1997), ideology (Althusser, 2007), and racialization (Garner & Selod, 2015) as the central theoretical framework. A critical thematic analysis approach (Lawless & Chen, 2019) was employed to understand the nature of social construction and the ideological and institutional relations of forces that contribute to the racialization of Rohingyas. This study found that media representation promoted racist narratives that contributed to the Rohingya racialization.

Keywords

Rohingya Muslims, Myanmar media, Buddhist nationalism, Racialization, Representation, Ideology

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Communication

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Department of Communication and Journalism

First Committee Member (Chair)

Marco Briziarelli

Second Committee Member

Ilia Rodriquez

Third Committee Member

Susana Martinez Guillem

Fourth Committee Member

Mohammad Yousuf

Fifth Committee Member

Lisa Brooten.

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