Determining the Concept of National Development in Iranian Newspapers: Exploring Reformism and Conservatism Periods

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the concept of development in Iranian newspaper editorials during the presidency of Mohammad Khatami and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, known as reformism and conservatism periods, respectively. To this end, a quantitative content analysis of 440 editorials was carried out to investigate four dimensions of development. The findings indicated that the evolution of the development concept was varied in reformism and conservatism periods. The concept of development with indicators such as freedom of speech, dynamic communications with foreign states, and establishment of civil society were highlighted in the editorials of the press during the reformism period. Whereas, in the editorials during the conservatism period, the focus was on economic development and indicators such as targeted subsidy plans and reaching nuclear energy.