Representations of trade union rights in us media outlets: A framing theory-based content analysis across political leanings

Year 2025, Volume: 15 Issue: 3, 1806 - 1826, 29.09.2025

Engincan Yıldız , Naim Göktaş , Esma Göktaş

https://doi.org/10.30783/nevsosbilen.1724363

Abstract

In the United States, after the Covid-19 pandemic, workers’ unionization efforts have become more visible. Media discourse plays a critical role in shaping public perception of trade union rights. This study uses Goffman's approach, which defines frames as interpretive schemes, and is grounded in Entman's framing functions and Scheufele's understanding of frame-building. Based on AD Fontes Media’s classification, this study selected 12 media outlets with equal representation of right-, center-, and left-leaning perspectives. 213 news articles published since the start of the pandemic were analyzed using the MASQDA program within the framing theory. Through frequency and thematic analysis, the study examined which frames were highlighted, whether there were differences across political leanings, and how ideological positions affected news representations. Findings show that right-leaning media adopted a negative stance—though not explicitly—toward union rights, while left-leaning outlets showed a more supportive tone. Center-leaning media generally remained informational. Overall, media outlets frequently linked labor issues with current political debates and focused more on the unions’ power and strategies. Except for some left-leaning outlets, the frame for rights concerning workers' collective actions is weak, and companies' anti-union policies were underreported. In this regard, it has been argued that the pro-capital stance in the US media affects news coverage of union rights.

Keywords

Trade Union Rights , Framing Theory , Frame Themes , Media Outlets.

ABD medya kuruluşlarında sendikal hakların temsili: Politik eğilimler üzerine çerçeveleme teorisi temelinde bir içerik analizi

Abstract

ABD’de özellikle Covid-19 pandemisi sonrasında işçilerin sendikalaşma çabaları daha görünür hâle gelmiştir. Medyanın bu konuyla ilgili haberlerindeki söylemler ise kamuoyunun sendikal haklara ilişkin algısının şekillenmesinde belirleyici bir rol oynamaktadır. Çalışma; kökenini Goffman’ın çerçeveleri yorum şemaları olarak tanımlayan yaklaşımından almakta ve Entman’ın çerçeveleme işlevleri ile Scheufele’nin frame building anlayışı temelinde konumlanmaktadır. Ad Fontes Media’nın sınıflandırmasına dayanarak eşit sayıda sağ, merkez ve sol eğilimli 12 medya kuruluşu belirlenmiştir. Bu kuruluşlarda, Covid-19 pandemisinden itibaren yayımlanan sendikal haklarla ilgili 213 haber metni, çerçeveleme teorisi temelinde MASQDA programı aracılığıyla incelenmiştir. Frekans analizi ve çerçeve temaları üzerinden; medya kuruluşlarının hangi çerçeveleri öne çıkardığı, politik eğilimlere göre farklılaşma olup olmadığı ve ideolojik pozisyonların haber temsillerine etkisi araştırılmıştır. Sonuçlara göre, sağ eğilimli medya sendikal haklara açıkça olmasa da olumsuz bir tutumla yaklaşırken, sol eğilimli medyada bunun tersi bir eğilim gözlenmiştir. Merkez medya ise çoğunlukla bilgilendirici bir dil kullanmıştır. Medya kuruluşlarının emek gündemini çoğunlukla güncel politik tartışmalarla ilişkilendirdiği, sendikaların gücüne odaklandığı; ancak hak çerçevesinin zayıf kaldığı ve şirketlerin sendika karşıtı politikalarının yeterince görünür olmadığı saptanmıştır. Bu durum, sermaye yanlısı ideolojik tutumun haberleri şekillendirdiğini göstermektedir.

Keywords

Sendikal Haklar , Çerçeveleme Teorisi , Çerçeve Temaları , Medya Kuruluşları.

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