Framing Srebrenica: A Comparative Analysis of Dutch, Turkish, and Russian Media Narratives

This study explores how Dutch, Turkish, and Russian media frame the Srebrenica genocide and how these narratives reflect each country’s cultural, historical, and political contexts. Drawing on framing theory and qualitative content analysis, the research investigates articles published between 2015 and 2020 in Algemeen Dagblad (Netherlands), Hürriyet (Turkey), and Izvestia (Russia). The objective is threefold: to identify framing techniques, examine the role of national identity and collective memory, and analyze the influence of political context on media narratives. Articles were selected during key moments - the 20th and 25th anniversaries of the genocide and the 2017 ICTY verdict - and coded using Semetko and Valkenburg’s framing categories. The findings reveal distinct patterns: Dutch media emphasizes national accountability, Turkish media highlights Muslim solidarity and calls for justice, while Russian media often downplays or reframes the genocide within geopolitical narratives. These differences underscore how national interests and political alliances shape journalistic framing, ultimately influencing public memory and perceptions of historical responsibility.