University of Twente Student Theses
Framing the Outage : Analysing Media Framing of the 2023 Optus Outage Across Crisis Phases
Maas, Tibor Renaud van (2024) Framing the Outage : Analysing Media Framing of the 2023 Optus Outage Across Crisis Phases.
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| Abstract: | Aim: This study invesDgates the media framing of Australia's 2023 Optus network outage. Using framing theory and content analysis, it explores how media coverage changed during the crisis, from the first reports to the aTermath. AddiDonally, it invesDgates the consequences of crisis communicaDon methods and organisaDonal reputaDon management. Method: A corpus of 188 news arDcles, TV clips, and radio transcripts from major Australian media outlets underwent qualitaDve content analysis. The study employed a two-Dered approach, uDlising Semetko and Valkenburg (2000) news frames alongside context-specific codes adapted from Holladay (2010) work on crisis communicaDon strategies. Findings: The findings reveal significant shiTs in media framing over five pre-defined Dme periods of the crisis. IniDally, coverage concentrated on the immediate effect and economic consequences, with the responsibility framing dominaDng. As the situaDon worsened, the conflict frame became more prominent, indicaDng rising tensions between Optus and stakeholders. Later phases saw a greater emphasis on ethical implicaDons and corporate responsibility, with the morality frame becoming increasingly prominent. The analysis also emphasised the importance of Dmely and transparent communicaDon in shaping public percepDon during a crisis. Conclusions: The study showed how media framing changed throughout a crisis and, in turn, how it influenced public senDment and opinion. The findings highlight the importance of adapDve crisis communicaDon techniques that respond to shiTing media narraDves. To maintain stakeholder confidence and prevent reputaDonal harm, organisaDons amid crises must prioriDse Dmely and transparent communicaDon, visible leadership, and proacDve response to moral challenges. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Bachelor) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 05 communication studies |
| Programme: | Communication Studies BSc (56615) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/100521 |
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