Framing as an essential function of creating propaganda: Exploring the link between frames and propagandizing
Abstract
Sharing the belief with various scholars (Entman 1993, Scheufele 1999, Slothuus and de Vreese
2010) that further research in the field of framing is required, the study’s intention is to explore
framing from various angles (psychological, cognitive, and as a media effects theory) in the
context of propaganda, in order to bring new insight in the understanding of framing and
propaganda theories, contribute to the existing scholarly discussion, and lead to a type of theory
development by introducing new ideas and models. To achieve that, three main “pillars” that need
to be researched and covered to establish the link between the two theories have been identified,
leading to said synthesis and development. The first concerns the ways in which the two theories
are linked and their potential overlap. The second focuses on the extent of importance of frames
in propaganda. The third acts as the extension of the previous two and concerns the mechanics of
influence as the core effect of framing and the fundamental driver of propaganda. By finding
answers to these concerns, this study has attempted to acquire a deeper understanding of the two
theories either separately or more importantly, as a broader unified concept.