This paper is an analyse of the research conducted by Rosie Walters, PhD in Politics at the School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies of Bristol.
Walters wants to understand how the case of the Pakistani journalist Malala Yousafzai has been presented in the UK newspapers. By using a discursive analysis, Walter finds out an emancipatory discourse about the young activist. Walters` aim is here to understand if this occidental view can tell us something about the West itself. Outcome of this research is an unequal relationship between the United Kingdom and Pakistan, it is a gendered and orientalistic discourse which shows interesting
(expected or not) “prejudice” of the British media discourse.
Aim of this paper is to analyse the methodologies and theories Walters uses and how these help the author to explain the outcome of the research.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Article`s overview
3. Theory
4. Methodology
5. Analysis
6. Critics
7. Conclusion
8. References
Objectives and Research Themes
This paper aims to critically examine the research conducted by Rosie Walters regarding the portrayal of the Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai in British newspapers, specifically investigating whether the Western media discourse reveals inherent prejudices and an unequal power relationship between the UK and Pakistan.
- Discursive analysis of British media representations of Malala Yousafzai.
- Application of poststructuralist, feminist, and postcolonial theoretical frameworks.
- Use of Roxanne Doty’s concepts: predication, presupposition, and subject positioning.
- Exploration of "orientalism" and Western views toward the East.
- Critical reflection on the limitations of qualitative research and discursive analysis.
Excerpt from the Book
5. Analysis
As mentioned above, Walters uses Doty`s approach of predication, presupposition and subject positioning, first used in 1993. According to Doty this textual mechanism allows to “read” popular culture. (Shepherd, :199) Under predication, Doty understands merely the nouns; under presupposition she understands background knowledge and under subject positioning, last methodological concept, the grammatical analysis of the subjects and the study of their position in the discourse. (Shepherd: 199)
In the first part of predication, Walters introduces three constructions, which come from the text analysis of the articles: Malala as a little girl, Taliban as extremely Muslim and a better British medical treatment than Pakistan.
- Malala as a little girl: she is called “the 14 years old girl” even when she gets 15, the word girl or even teenager, is used much more than the word young woman. The resulting view on Malala is the young, idealistic campaigner for children`s right, rather than a feminist activist.
- Talibal as extremily muslim (portrayal of Muslim masculinities): western masculinity is implicit in the discourse of British articles. The description of what the Taliban did wants to undermine Taliban`s masculinity which depicted as sexual frustrated, motivated by ancient prejudice. The qualities attributed by the newspaper to this attacks implies an masculinity inferiority, abuses, medieval, regressive atrocities, brutal, barbaric or even evil. The discourse on Muslim masculinity is here of violence and fanaticism without any political aim.
- Construction of difference in Malala Yousafzai`s medical treatment. Pakistani hospitals involved in Malala`s treatment are mentioned only 10 times. The focus is set on English medical staff and English hospitals. The outcome of the articles is clear; when they talk about the British treatment they use words specialist treatment, experienced surgeons, Surgical procedures while they refer to Pakistan only with simple terms like Treatment or Doctors.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the research by Rosie Walters on the portrayal of Malala Yousafzai in UK newspapers and states the goal of analyzing the methodology and theory used.
2. Article`s overview: Provides background information on Malala Yousafzai and the context of the analyzed media discourse regarding her activism and the Taliban.
3. Theory: Explains the poststructuralist, feminist, and postcolonial frameworks used to explore the relationship between the West and the East.
4. Methodology: Details the research design, including the use of Roxanne Doty’s analytical concepts and intertextuality to examine 223 selected articles.
5. Analysis: Applies the concepts of predication, presupposition, and subject positioning to identify themes like Malala as a "little girl" and the portrayal of British medical superiority.
6. Critics: Discusses the limitations of the research, specifically focusing on subjectivity, lack of generalizability, and the interpretative nature of qualitative methods.
7. Conclusion: Summarizes how the media discourse reinforces a sense of Western superiority and suggests that Malala is often portrayed as a victim rather than an empowered activist.
8. References: Lists the academic sources and literature utilized throughout the paper.
Keywords
Malala Yousafzai, British Media, Discursive Analysis, Poststructuralism, Feminism, Postcolonialism, Orientalism, Roxanne Doty, Predication, Presupposition, Subject Positioning, Intertextuality, Pakistan, Taliban, Media Representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper is an analysis of a study by Rosie Walters, which investigates how the Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai was represented in British newspapers between 2012 and 2013.
What are the primary themes examined in the paper?
The core themes include the representation of Malala in Western media, the construction of "orientalist" discourse, the portrayal of Muslim masculinity, and the perceived supremacy of the West in medical and social contexts.
What is the main objective of the author's analysis?
The goal is to determine how the specific methodologies and theories employed by Walters—such as poststructuralist discourse analysis—help explain the findings that British media created an unequal, gendered, and biased relationship between the UK and Pakistan.
Which scientific methodology is utilized in the study?
The study uses qualitative discourse analysis, specifically employing Roxanne Doty’s concepts of predication, presupposition, and subject positioning, alongside the concept of intertextuality to interpret media text.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
The main body covers the theoretical framework (feminist, poststructuralist, and postcolonial), the methodology of analyzing 223 newspaper articles, and the results of this analysis using Doty's framework.
Which keywords best describe this research?
Key terms include Malala Yousafzai, Discursive Analysis, Media Representation, Orientalism, Western Supremacy, and Subject Positioning.
How does the British media portray Malala Yousafzai, according to the findings?
The findings suggest she is frequently portrayed as a "little girl" or a passive victim in need of Western help, rather than as a powerful feminist activist, which obscures her own political agency.
What are the main criticisms of the applied research method?
The paper highlights that qualitative research is inherently subjective and interpretative, making it difficult to replicate or generalize the findings to a broader context.
- Quote paper
- B.A. Integrated European Studies Amelia Martha Matera (Author), 2018, Malala Yousafzai in the British Media, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/425360
