Digital news platforms and mediatization of religion: Understanding the religious coverage in different ‘News Frames’

Abstract

Mass Media has been influencing a dominant sector of the society called ‘Religion’ from the time of its inception. Today, in the age of digital journalism the news consumption has increased in many folds and the mediatization of religion has taken a bigger shape on digital news platforms where feedback on every news story is instantaneous. To understand the intensity of mediatization of religion the coverage of religious specific content in two top rated digital news platforms of English language were analysed using thematic content analysis in the following news frames “Attribution of Responsibility,” “Human Interest,” “Morality,” “Economic Consequences,” and “Conflict.” The findings helped in identifying the level of social interaction expressed by the readers towards religion and the implication of different news frames on creating strong influence on people. The study is conducted in a country where multiple religions are practiced from eternities by large groups of people forming a society.