News Representation and News Discourse of Trap-Neuter-Return Issue in Taiwan

• Main Authors: Chia-yu Chuang, 莊家語
• Other Authors: none
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2012
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/82563383180720185772

碩士 === 世新大學 === 公共關係暨廣告學研究所(含碩專班) === 100 === Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), is a method of humanely trapping unaltered feral cats, spaying or neutering them, and releasing them back to the same location where they were collected. It is not only an emerging animal protection issue, but also a critical issue disputed by the supporters and opponents. This study aims to analyze media representation of TNR issue from the point of views of news theme, framing, sources and position. Besides, because the operation of TNR should be based on the cooperation among non-profit organizations (NPOs), local residents, government and volunteers, this study also uses the concept of critical discourse analysis to understand the meaning of power, space and identity presented in the news discourse. Therefore, content analysis and critical discourse analysis of Taiwan four major newspapers are used as the research method in this study. The result shows that government and non-profit organization are the major news sources, but they are usually in different positions. Furthermore, it is evident that the news frame of media is mostly concerned about TNR explanation, but not the frame of pet management. The finding also finds out that publics are involved in TNR operation, like non-profit organization, government, and residents. the media coverage always represent who in favor of TNR through a community, but represent against residents' voices through an individual name. The news discourse regards that government always has the discourse power in TNR such as using imperative sentence to dictate that before TNR operation, non-profit organization should question residents whether they approve or not. Nevertheless, the results indicated that growing presence within the mass media in Taiwan has a tendency to educate people about animal protection and animal right.