Media's Role in Crisis Communication: A Comparative Analysis of Pakistani and Indian Print Media Coverage of the Pahalgam Attack

Abstract

The study looks at how the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, in Indian-administered Kashmir was reported differently by Pakistani and Indian print media which caused 26 deaths. The study uses mixed methods to study stories from Dawn (Pakistan) and The Times of India (India) for 19 days, grouping them into frames for war, peace and neutral. Findings reveal stark contrasts: About 73.3% of the articles in The Times of India used a war frame, putting stress on terrorism and retaliation, whereas Dawn primarily (63.4%) opted for a peace frame, stressing dialogue and human issues. Qualitative analysis shows that Indian media tends to use securitized language, whereas Pakistani media focuses on seeking ways to solve conflicts. The research reveals that media presentation supports national interests, increases the tension between the countries and affects both public and government actions. It further investigates whether peace journalism decreases hostility, however such stories are not common. The findings suggest that media influences both fights and solutions, urging the media to act ethically and change their structure to promote peace in South Asia.

Keywords: Media Framing, India-Pakistan Conflict, Pahalgam Attack, Peace Journalism, War Journalism, Kashmir Crisis, Agenda-Setting, Comparative Analysis