Proximity and Terrorism News in Social Media: A Construal-Level Theoretical Approach to Audience Framing of Terrorism in Twitter

• In Event: Social Sharing and Virality

Abstract

Much scholarly attention focuses on how the news media frames terror attacks. However, with the advent of social media, public understanding of terrorism often exceeds editorial and geographic boundaries. This study seeks to understand public audience perception of global terrorism by analyzing social media frames based on Construal Level Theory. An analysis of tweets during the Boston Marathon Bombing and the Brussels Airport Attack finds that media and audience frames show a great deal of similarities but do not always converge in on Twitter. Similarities are discerned in terms of the potential for social categorization and stereotyping of certain populations. However, psychological distance can invoke different terrorism framing between the media and the public.

Authors

• K. Hazel Kwon, Arizona State U

• Monica Chadha, Arizona State U

• Kirstin Pellizzaro, Arizona State U