News Frames and Priming of War on Drugs Essay Example

Introduction

A frame denotes the way media outlets coordinate and control the news topics which has a great impact on the readers` interpretation of the articles. News framing pays attention to specific issues, and then readership finds out the meaning in a broad sense. Framing theory deals with contemporary aspects present and not a specific topic. Journalists choose the topic and set the news agenda hence play a significant role in shaping people`s perception of the news topics. The readership is set on ideas about the topic and how to perceive the contents. This paper analyzes the effect of how the war on drugs is presented in a liberal, neutral and conservative manner by the American newspapers, internet, and televisions.

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Liberal war on drugs

War on drugs in America has been a century-old phenomenon. For the past few days, the topic has pioneered in the top stories of major newspapers, such as the Common Dreams. There are two main categories of media frames; Frames of emphasis and frames of equivalence. In this discussion, I am going to deal mainly with emphasis frames

The media is full of news on the liberal views of war on drugs. The Common Dreams newspaper dated 9th April 2019 carried out an article by Tom Dispatch entitled "America's self- inflicted wound: 100 years of war on drugs". According to the liberalists, the war on drugs has been unsuccessful, and subsequent presidents have fought the battle to no avail. According to Steele, (2012), the liberalists have started campaigning for liberal laws pertaining to drugs and substance use in America, the result has been a relaxation of some of the laws which have been witnessed by relaxation of some laws. Some states have relaxed laws pertaining to use and possession of Marijuana. Other states have started taxing the sale, possession, and use of the drug. In other words, some states have established control and distribution systems for the drug.

Conservatives war on drugs

The conservatives are of the eradication of drugs and have a free drug society. Hey, advocate for a strict war on drugs through the expansion of drug court programs. The conservatives advocate for guidance and counseling sessions for drug addicts. The conservatives are at the forefront in questioning the longstanding drug statutes. They are after society without drugs.

Scientifically, usage of drugs and substances cause permanent destruction of important body tissues and organs. The situation worsens in case of poor feeding habits which can cause malnutrition-related illnesses. Vital body organs such as the kidney, lungs, pancreas, brain and the liver may be partially or fully distorted. Expectant females are advised against the usage of drugs and substances as this may damage vital body parts of the mother and the fetus. Pregnant women who abuse drug are recorded to give birth to poorly developed infants with irreversible physical and psychological abnormalities and mental break downs. Herat ailments are highly connected to drugs and substances abuse. Drug addicts also suffer from various types of cancer such as Lungs, larynx, esophagus, bladder, pancreatic and kidney cancer. Drug and alcohol abuse are also attributed to anti-social behavior which is a matter of concern to the society and specifically to the authorities, parents, and teachers. Non-governmental organizations and other related institutions should try their best to alleviate the situation.

Neutralism in the war on drugs

The war on drugs has been on racial lines. The victims should be treated equally as they are all citizens of America. Furthermore, they are governed by the same constitution. According to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, coloreds are highly sentenced for minute drugs related issues more than the other populations who abuse drugs. The details are ironical in that the other communities who misuse the drugs and substances are five times more than the colored persons. Governmental organizations highlight that white persons who use drugs are five times more than black populations. To worsen the situation, the drug market is well set up in the minority community`s neighborhood.

Keenaga, (2017) and Williamson, (2014) observes that the draconian drug laws apply to both American citizens and non- citizens. For non-citizens who violate the drug laws, they are deported or taken to detention. Sometimes they are taken to their countries of origin without the appropriate legal procedures. Such measures cause societal fragmentation which leads to family breakups. Appropriate law amendments should be taken to avoid legal disparities.

The past two months have witnessed war on drugs as the leading story on major newspapers, radios, and televisions in America. The liberals feel that the outdated drugs laws should be amended to give room for fair legal dealings. According to them, the draconian legal structures should be done away with and replaced by laws that have fair outcomes for both the white Americans and the black communities. On the other hand, American conservatives think that the War on Drugs is ineffective and wastage of public finances.

References

Keenaga, Y T. (2017). How we get free: Black feminism and the Combahee river collective. Haymarket Book

Steele, J. (2012). Contract Law: Text, Cases, & Materials. Oxford: OUP, 2012

Williamson, A. Andersen, M. Redman, S. Dadds, M. D'Este, C. Daniels, J. Eades, S... Raphael, B. (2014). Measuring mental health in Indigenous young people: a review of the literature from 1998-2008. Research Online.