Administrative Corruption as a Civil Sphere Crisis: " Media Representation in the Reformist Newspaper Etemad(2021) "

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M.A. in Social Communication, Faculty of Culture and Communication, Soore University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor of Sociology, Department of Cultural and Media Management, School of Culture and Communication, Soore University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract
In recent years, administrative corruption has become a prominent issue in Iran. Newspapers, through effective representation, can play a role in mitigating this problem. The present article aims to understand the representation of administrative corruption in the reformist newspaper "Etemad". The research method employed is Attride-Stirling's network thematic analysis, with data extracted from the analysis of 26 selected documents using MAXQDA22 software. A total of 73 codes, 12 basic themes, 4 organizing themes, and 1 overarching theme—administrative corruption—were identified. The validity of the findings was ensured through dual coding by two coders and consultation with experts. The theoretical framework of the study is based on Stuart Hall's representation theory, alongside Jeffrey Alexander's theories of strong program, civil sphere, and cultural trauma. The findings reveal that "Etemad" emphasizes the necessity of preventive systems and represents administrative corruption as a widespread, systematic issue and a threat to civil sphere values. Such representation may lead to the emergence of cultural trauma.

Keywords

Subjects


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Volume 20, Issue 2
No. 78
Spring 2025
Pages 145-176

  • Receive Date 30 March 2025
  • Revise Date 08 June 2025
  • Accept Date 23 June 2025