The portrayal of online shaming in contemporary online news media: A media framing analysis

Online shaming, where individuals participate in social policing by shaming supposed wrongdoings on the internet, is a rapidly increasing and global phenomenon. The potential impacts of online shaming are said to be extensive and wide-reaching, however minimal empirical research on this topic has be...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computers in human behavior reports 2021-01, Vol.3, p.100051, Article 100051
Main Authors: Muir, Shannon R., Roberts, Lynne D., Sheridan, Lorraine P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Media framing
Online news media
Online shaming
Public shaming
Qualitative analysis
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Summary:Online shaming, where individuals participate in social policing by shaming supposed wrongdoings on the internet, is a rapidly increasing and global phenomenon. The potential impacts of online shaming are said to be extensive and wide-reaching, however minimal empirical research on this topic has been conducted to date, with existing coverage being largely anecdotal and media-based. The current study aims to demonstrate how online shaming is constructed in contemporary online news media. Qualitative analysis using Giles and Shaw’s (2009) media framing analysis was completed on 69 online news articles published within the last two years concerning online shaming. Two overarching representations of online shaming were uncovered: a dominant narrative framing online shaming as a dangerous threat with serious consequences, and a smaller frame representing online shaming as more constructive and capable of resulting in positive outcomes. Variations in conditions presented, as well as the many rationalisations, consequences, and recommendations posed for mitigating online shaming embedded within the articles collectively represent online shaming as a multifaceted and morally ambiguous phenomenon. Understanding media depictions of online shaming is important, as it may have broader implications for public perceptions, debate, and support of policies and other related processes. •Online shaming is a rapidly increasing and global phenomenon.•Framings in news coverage can inform/shape public understandings of social issues.•Media framing analysis was applied to explore media constructions of online shaming.•News framings were multifaceted with many perceptual nuances/moral uncertainties.•Has implications for public perceptions, policy support and other related processes.
ISSN:2451-9588
2451-9588
DOI:10.1016/j.chbr.2020.100051