“Framing” the Rohingya Crisis: Mainstream Media Coverage and Shifting Narratives

This chapter analyzes how mainstream media framed the Rohingya crisis in two periods (2010–2017 and 2017–2022) through Western and non-Western media coverage, exploring dominant narratives, influences, and shifts after global attention in 2017. The analysis reveals diverse portrayals in the first period, with Western media highlighting the plight of refugees and criticizing Myanmar’s government, while non-Western media offered alternative perspectives. Post-2017, coverage shifted dramatically, focusing on the military crackdown and humanitarian crisis. The study examines the far-reaching impacts of media framing on international engagement, policy decisions, and public perception, highlighting ethical considerations in reporting genocide and humanitarian crises. The findings offer valuable insights for various stakeholders and contribute to understanding the role of media in shaping discourse and responses to crises.