Women of Flint: Analyzing news depictions of women during the Flint water crisis

Abstract 

This project examined how the women of Flint were portrayed in media coverage of the water crisis from 2014 through 2018.  Using both a rhetorical analysis and a qualitative grounded theory approach to examine the language used to describe women covered in media content of the crisis, distinct themes were identified.  Results describe the ways in which media coverage portrayed these women’s opinions, beliefs, actions, and situations – depicted through words and phrases.  These themes evolved as the crisis continued and differed based on the geographical reach of news sources covering the unfolding situation in Flint.    

Biographical Statement 

Andrea Quenette, Ph.D. (Ohio State University) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Studies.  Her teaching specialties include Communication Theory, Media and Terrorism, Political Communication, Media and Politics, Propaganda and Persuasion, and more.  Her research interests are focused on the intersection between the effect of political news content on audiences and their political interests, attitudes, and engagement.