Agenda setting and Framing of Elections during Musharraf Period in Pakistani Print Media (1999-2008)
Naveed Iqbal Chaudhry, Amna Ashraf

Abstract
This paper presents a content analysis of editorials published by the elite English press of Pakistan during Pervaiz Musharraf’s regime (1999-2008). It examines the trends of editorial agenda, policies of the chosen press and diversity of issues regarding dictator led elections in Pakistan. The study considers the postulates of ‘agenda setting’ and ‘framing’ to examine the editorial coverage of elections by three English dailies. The time against each election under study is divided into ‘pre-poll’, ‘polling’ and ‘post-poll’ periods. The analysis deals with six categories of the contents. It explores that what are the major issues and events regarding elections that got attention of the press. How media gives priorities to cover electoral issues. It further investigates the consistency of editorial policy and the watchdog role playing by the chosen? press through their editorials. It unpacks the frames being used in the editorials to picture a certain image regarding these electoral issues.

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