Linking source diversity, frame diversity, and quality of economic news: The case in GDP reporting

Dumdum, O. O. (2012). Linking source diversity, frame diversity, and quality of economic news: The case in GDP reporting, Unpublished Master’s Thesis, University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.

Abstract

This thesis explores the relationship between source diversity and frame diversity as well as frame diversity and news quality. In line with the theories of framing and social responsibility of the press, it situates the said propositions in the area of economic journalism. A total of 616 economic news articles were content-analyzed, covering 20 quarters of gross domestic product (GDP) performance from 2006 to 2010. This thesis finds that source diversity in economic news is low to moderate while frame diversity is moderate to strong. Both types of diversity are positively correlated, such that higher source diversity leads to higher frame diversity in economic news. On the other hand, economic news is perceived to have low levels of interest, analysis and context, and moderate levels of understandability and impartiality. Of these five dimensions of news quality, only understandability is not correlated with frame diversity. This means that higher frame diversity in economic news leads to more interesting, impartial, analytical, and contextual stories. Eight economic journalists were interviewed to provide insights on the study’s findings. Finally, theoretical, methodological, and practical implications on framing economic news are discussed.

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