Examining News Media and Corporate Framing of CSR and Sustainable Development in India

• In Event: CSR, Communication, and Public Perceptions

Abstract

Drawing from framing theory, this study examined the news media and corporate framing of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development (SD) in India. The study cross-examined 242 articles published in two daily, national newspapers with largest circulations and 200 corporate websites to identify prominent issues and topics. The findings showed that while Indian news media and corporations frame CSR/SD as an environmental issue, they both define environmental priorities differently. Also, while corporate CSR/SD communication is mostly geared towards shareholders, the news media prioritizes communities in their CSR/SD content. The larger, state-owned companies provide most CSR/SD information while no significant differences were found between the two newspapers’ CSR/SD coverage.

Authors

• Rajul Jain, DePaul University

• Maria De Moya, DePaul University