Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2018 Policy Implications of News Media Coverage of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Godfred A. Ababio Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Criminology Commons, Criminology and Criminal Justice Commons, International Relations Commons, Near Eastern Languages and Societies Commons, and the Other International and Area Studies Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Godfred Ababio has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Joseph Pascarella, Committee Chairperson, Criminal Justice Faculty Dr. Carolyn Dennis, Committee Member, Criminal Justice Faculty Dr. Tamara Mouras, University Reviewer, Criminal Justice Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2018 Abstract Policy Implications of News Media Coverage of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria by Godfred A. Ababio MS, Regis University, 2013 BS, Medaille College, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Criminal Justice – General Walden University November 2018 Abstract The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) garnered global news media attention in Summer 2014 when it seized a significant section of land in Iraq and Syria. The group then mishandled and executed its captives. There is a lack of consensus among the international community, led by Russia and the United States, on how best to address the threat posed by ISIS. An understanding of the function of Russian and U.S. news media coverage of the ISIS threat is an appropriate research topic. The purpose of this qualitative content analysis study was to explore how the U.S, Russian, and Qatari news media represented ISIS between May 1, 2014, and May 1, 2015. The theoretical framework for this study was the agenda-setting theory. The research questions centered on how 3 news media outlets from the 3 countries represented ISIS within this time frame. The study design was a qualitative deductive content analysis with purposeful sampling. Data were coded in a binary manner and analyzed using the data software program Dedoose. Themes identified in the analysis were mitigation, insecurity, foreign fighters, responsibility, and propaganda. The results of this study suggest that there are similarities and differences in Russian, Qatari, and U.S. media outlets’ depiction of ISIS between May 1, 2014, and May 1, 2015, which can be explained by agenda-setting theory. The significance of this study is twofold. First, the information arising from the study may influence social change by assisting counterterrorism officials and policy makers in making informed decisions about how to mitigate the ISIS threat. Second, this study contributes to the existing literature on ISIS and its global media representation for future researchers. Policy Implications of News Media Coverage of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria by Godfred A. Ababio MA, Regis University, 2013 BS, Medaille College, 2010 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Criminal Justice – General Walden University November 2018 Dedication I would like to dedicate this study to my fantastic mom Hannah, my incredible wife Kameka, and my children Ashanti, Ashley, Amanda, and Angela for their moral support and sacrifices they made over the years in my quest to achieve a terminal degree. “Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence” -Robert Frost. Acknowledgments I thank God for guidance, a persevering spirit, and can-do attitude throughout this journey. Additionally, I would like to use this opportunity to thank my committee chair, Dr. Joseph Pascarella, and my second committee member, Dr. Carolyn Dennis, for their immense support and guidance throughout the dissertation process. Additionally, I would like to recognize the contribution of the University Research Reviewer, Dr. Tamara Mouras, for her time and effort in the dissertation process. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 Terrorism Defined ................................................................................................... 2 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Questions ........................................................................................................6 Theoretical Framework for the Study ............................................................................7 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................8 Definitions....................................................................................................................11 Assumptions .................................................................................................................12 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................12 Limitations ...................................................................................................................13 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................14 Contribution to Criminal Justice Field .................................................................. 14 Implications for Positive Social Change ............................................................... 15 Summary ......................................................................................................................15 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................18 Introduction ..................................................................................................................18 i Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................20 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................20 Literature Review Related to Key Variables and/or Concepts ....................................23 ISIS Foreign Fighter Threat .................................................................................. 24 ISIS Propaganda Concerns ................................................................................... 31 ISIS Responsibility Concerns ............................................................................... 37 Summary and Conclusion ............................................................................................47 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................52 Introduction ..................................................................................................................52 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................52 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 53 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................54 Methodology ................................................................................................................55 Population ............................................................................................................. 55 Data Collection ..................................................................................................... 59 Data Analysis Plan ................................................................................................ 61 Issues of Trustworthiness .............................................................................................63 Credibility ............................................................................................................. 63 Transferability ......................................................................................................