Unravelling Media Impact on Public Discourse: An Examination of News Framing and Sentiment Analysis using NewsTalk
Robert Fleet1 1Queensland University Of Technology
Abstract
In an era where the mainstream media and social platforms coexist as avenues for public discourse, understanding the influence of news framing on public sentiment towards policy and diplomacy becomes critical. This study employs a novel data source, NewsTalk, which pairs original news text with associated public comments both from the original publishing platform and an off-site discussion platform, Reddit. NewsTalk is a new capability built by QUT’s Australian Digital Observatory. This unique pairing enables a comprehensive analysis of the link between news framing and the responses it provokes. By examining the public’s questioning, agreement or disagreement, and addition of context to the issues presented, we gain insights into how media portrayal impacts public sentiment. The study aims to illuminate the complex interplay between news framing and public discourse in the context of media outlets and online discussion forums. This will contribute to our understanding of how news media shapes and reflects public sentiment, and will assist researchers in assessing the public’s perception of key issues in policy and diplomacy.
Biography
Robert Fleet is a Data Scientist and Developer at QUT’s Australian Digital Observatory. Robert’s unique research interest lies in studying MMO game data, specifically investigating the structure of organized criminal groups. Prior to his current role, he worked as a Data Scientist, e-Research Analyst, and Technical Lead on a cutting-edge drone surveillance project.