"Sanningen" Bakom Koranbränningarna : En kritisk diskursanalys av kontroversen kring Koranbränningarna och samhällspolariseringen i Sverige

Sammanfattning: This study analyzed how mass media portrays specific groups of actors involved in burnings of the quran, more precisely, burners of the quran and demonstrators opposed to it. The study has compiled 18 digitally published news articles derived from four different news agencies. By using critical discourse analysis as a theoretical and methodological framework, the study has applied the three-dimensional model developed by Norman Fairclough to examine the empirical findings. Conducted analysis of the news articles resulted in the identification of three prevalent themes also referred to as discourses. Identified themes were as follows: “The normalization of violent riots”, “Collective culpability of demonstrators”, “The quranburners as victims and the process of victimization of the quranburners” Furthermore, an analysis of the identified themes was conducted. The mentioned themes were further analyzed with textual tools as provided by Fairclough, as well as two sociological theories as necessitated by Fairclough’s theory of critical discourse analysis. The theory of stigmatization and labeling theory were applied. The empirical findings suggest that violent riots are depicted as inevitable consequences, thus undergoing a process of normalization. Furthermore, the protesters present during the manifestations are generalized into specific social groups such as muslims or arabs. Burners of the quran were on the contrary depicted as victims in a vulnerable position. Lastly, a discussion is held regarding the possible repercussions the discourses may have on a societal level and their potential impact on the field of social work.