Building Frames Link by Link: The Linking Practices of Blogs and News Sites

Mark Coddington

Abstract


This study uses content analysis and in-depth interviews to examine the use and conceptions of hyperlinks among news websites, independent bloggers, and blogging journalists, particularly the way that they contribute to episodic, thematic, and conflict news frames. The news sites’ links function thematically to provide context through background information produced by a limited body of traditional, non-opinionated sources, placing news events in a thematic frame. Bloggers’ links, however, serve as a more social connection, while also pointing toward immediate, specific news issues, placing events in an episodic frame. Blogging journalists are found to be situated between the two groups, appropriating some practices from each.

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