Black Lives Matter Protests: Using Framing Theory to Analyze State and National Coverage of Social Movement Protests

Abstract

This study uncovered frames used within national and Louisiana coverage of the Black Lives Matter protests and analyzed the influence media organizations may have on the public’s perception of the social movement. The Black Lives Matter movement, a civil rights movement founded in 2013 that strives to combat violence inflicted on Black communities, gained momentum, and inspired protests across the nation after the tragic death of George Floyd, an African American man suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill to buy a pack of cigarettes. From cities with a dense population, like New York City, to rural cities like Lafayette, Louisiana, Black Lives Matter protests have reached remote corners of the nation and are ongoing to this day. For this study, a sample of 200 online news articles covering the Black Lives Matter protests between June 1, 2020, to July 31, 2020, from national and Louisiana-based newspapers were analyzed for framing techniques, tone, and attitude toward Black Lives Matter protesters.