Date of Award
6-12-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Journalism, MSMC
First Advisor
Dr. Lillie Fears
Committee Members
Dr. Lily Zeng; Dr. Manu Bhandari
Call Number
ISBN 9798280760073
Abstract
This study examines how The New York Times visually framed women in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A quantitative content analysis of 592 news images of gender (male, female) and objects was conducted through the lenses of framing theory and visual framing theory to understand gender representation in conflict reporting. The photo sample analyzed a period of two years, starting from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2024. The findings indicate that The New York Times portrays women as victims more often than men, which supports the previous traditional gender portrayals of women showing them as victims. However, the findings challenge the earlier research that media do not always give women more significant visual representation than they do for men in conflict narratives. Nevertheless, when women appear as the primary focal point, they are more frequently framed in passive roles, such as grieving or receiving aid, rather than engaging in active resistance or leadership. The study also found that The New York Times often published photos of women in medium-range shots. These findings suggest that The New York Times coverage reflects a gendered portrayal of conflict, which may shape public perceptions of women’s roles in conflict. The study concludes with recommendations for more balanced media representations that recognize women's agency and diverse roles in war beyond victimhood.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Sheikh, Zinnia, "News Portrayals of Women in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict" (2025). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1080.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1080
