Framing of Kashmir Conflict in Elite Pakistani and Indian Newspapers after Revocation of Special Status of the Disputed Territory

• Main Authors: Ayesha Siddiqua, Atif Ashraf, Ghulam Shabbir, Qamaruddin Zia Ghaznavi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: CSRC Publishing 2021-04-01
• Series: Journal of Business and Social Review in Emerging Economies
• Subjects: Article 370, Jammu & Kashmir (J &K), Conflict, India; Pakistan; Peace and War Journalism
• Online Access: https://publishing.globalcsrc.org/ojs/index.php/jbsee/article/view/1621
• ISSN: 2519-089X; 2519-0326

Purpose: The division of J&K into two federally administered territories has deepened the feelings of alienation and subjugation in the Kashmiris.  The purpose of the study is to comprehend the peace and war framing of the Kashmir conflict after the revocation of the special status of the disputed territory in the Indian and Pakistani media. The study also attempts to explore the geo strategic relevance of Jammu and Kashmir for China. Design/Methodology/Approach: Framing, Peace and War Journalism theories were used in this study. Quantitative content analysis method was used to analyze the peace and war framing of the J&K conflict in Dawn and Times of India. Findings: Results of the content analysis supported the assumption that war coverage was the most highly recorded coverage pattern in both Indian and Pakistani newspapers. Dawn took a lead in peace journalism framing with 25.56% of its editorials and columns dominated with peace journalism frames whereas 11.88% editorials and columns in Times of India were dominated with peace journalism frames.  Implications/Originality/Value: It is concluded that Kashmir conflict was predominantly framed in the war journalism perspective by the Indian and Pakistani media. The study also indicated that China seeks to maintain stability in the region as the interaction of Xinjiang and Tibet with the western markets cannot be fully explored without peaceful settlement of the Kashmir conflict.