Mainstream Print Media and Alt-Right Online Media: Construction of Narratives

• In Event: Alternative Facts and Alt-Media

Abstract

On September 10, 2015, a federal criminal complaint charging Joshua Ryne Goldberg with “distribution of material related to explosives, destructive devices and weapons of mass destruction" was issued in Jacksonville Florida. The allegations charged Mr. Goldberg with instructing a person, who turned out to be an FBI Informant, to bomb a Kansas City (MO) 9/11 memorial event. Apart from local interest in Florida (Mr. Goldberg’s home state) and in Missouri (where the alleged attack was to have occurred), the story quickly dropped from mainstream media attention. However, it took on a new life in ’alt-right media.’ This research examines the similarities and differences in the description of the defendant and his alleged actions in headlines and lead paragraphs in these two types of sources. Analysis focuses on references to: Age, Residence, Ethnicity, Jihadism, Mental illness, and Scope of his online activities.

Authors

• Robert Cadigan, Boston University

• Emma Ausman, Boston University