Media Narratives Research Articles

The Impact of AI-Generated Characters on Audience Perception and Emotional Engagement in Film

Artificially-generated characters in movies have radically altered conventional cinema, creating entirely new mechanisms of perception and feeling. This research investigates the psychological effects of artificial character, including how realistically, empathetically and trust-based traits impact audience reactions. Drawing on cognitive processing, social conditioning and ethical implications, the article examines the emotional bond (or lack of it) that viewers feel between artificial characters. Data suggests that intensely realistic AI characters are potentially empathetic and absorbing, but they come with their own unique difficulties, like the "uncanny valley" effect and ethical questions around AI autonomy. In this way, the paper shows how AI is increasingly a force for storytelling and emotional connection, which can help filmmakers optimise how audiences engage with virtual characters. Knowing these dynamics can help developers anticipate audience reactions and leverage AI characters to augment films. This study adds to the ongoing debate about AIs contributions to media psychology and narrative.

Ecological discourse analysis of COVID-19 news reports in CNN Philippines and Rappler

Ecological Discourse Analysis (EDA) examines the relationship between language and the environment, focusing on how discourse shapes and reflects ecological and social behaviors. By analyzing linguistic patterns, EDA seeks to uncover how language conveys ideologies, values, and attitudes towards ecological issues, such as sustainability, environmental justice, and human-nature relationships. This paper was positioned to analyze the appraisal characteristics of COVID-19 news reports in CNN and Rappler from January 2020 to November 2021. A total of 28 news articles, evenly sourced from the two outlets, were analyzed. AntConc 4.0.2 identified the use of appraisal resources, including attitude, engagement, and graduation. The findings revealed that CNN Philippines adopted a more balanced tone, characterized by 32.67 percent attitude, 38.07 percent engagement, and 29.26 percent graduation resources. In contrast, Rappler demonstrated a more critical stance, with 36.46 percent attitude, 36.94 percent engagement, and 26.6 percent graduation resources. The engagement system showed that both outlets favored heteroglossic expressions, incorporating multiple perspectives to enrich their reporting. The graduation system, focusing on force, highlighted how both news organizations used intensity in their language to emphasize the significance of COVID-19-related issues. These linguistic patterns reveal distinct ideological orientations and strategies for engaging audiences, highlighting the media’s role in shaping public understanding and response during a global health crisis. The study underscores the significant impact of linguistic choices in news reporting, offering insights into how media narratives influence public discourse in times of uncertainty.

The Effectiveness of Micro Learning Design on Storytelling Skills

Storytelling is an important skill in the world of education that can increase engagement, understanding, and conveying information in a more engaging way. This study aims to test the influence of micro-learning methods on students' storytelling skills by involving 500 respondents from Sultan Agung Islamic University (Semarang), University of Muhammadiyah Malang (Malang), STIBA-EIC (Jakarta), PGRI University of West Sumatra (Padang), Mataran State Islamic University (Lombok). Respondents were randomly selected from students in the city (30-40 students in each city), with an age range ranging from 19 to 22 years old. The domicile of the respondents came from the city and the surrounding area. The total number of respondents is 500. Of the 500 respondents, 100 respondents (20%) came from students majoring in foreign language colleges, 100 respondents (20%) came from the English language education department, and 300 respondents (60%) came from the Indonesian language and literature education department. The respondents were divided into two groups: experiments that used micro-learning and controls that used traditional methods. The learning design includes the introduction of learning objectives, understanding of storytelling elements, example video analysis, storytelling exercises, as well as recording and feedback. The results of statistical analysis using the Mann-Whitney test showed a significant difference between the two groups, with a significance value of 0.000 (p < 0.05), which indicates that the micro-learning method has a positive and significant influence on improving students' storytelling skills compared to the traditional method. This indicates that we can reject the null hypothesis (H₀) which states that there is no significant difference between the two groups, and accept the alternative hypothesis (H₁) which states that there is a significant difference. These findings indicate that this approach is not only relevant for language teaching, but can also be adapted to various other forms of learning. With its flexible structure and customizable content, micro-learning can be applied in a variety of disciplines, such as science, mathematics, and art, by utilizing a variety of visual and narrative media.

The Media’s Influence on Shaping Public Opinion during Martial Law

This article explores the role of various media in shaping public opinion during martial law in Ukraine. The study aims to evaluate the extent to which media influences public perception, unity, and societal response under the conditions of military conflict. The research methods employed include content analysis of mass media materials, sociological surveys, and graphic and comparative analyses to measure media impact. The study is based on data from sociological surveys and the thematic content of regional media from 2021 to 2023, encompassing key breaking news and regional media narratives. The findings reveal that media play a vital role in disseminating information, promoting national unity, and highlighting critical issues such as support for the armed forces and humanitarian aid. The influence of Internet sources and regional media has notably strengthened, with much of the content focusing on war-related issues, societal consolidation, volunteerism, and aid for victims. The study also identifies that, during crises, media can shape worldviews, influence political polarization, and mobilize public engagement through patriotic narratives and volunteer campaigns. The research concludes that media, especially regional outlets, significantly contribute to societal cohesion and informed decision-making during martial law. However, challenges such as media bias and potential manipulation remain. The study findings can contribute to understanding the role of the media in the conditions of military conflict and the formation of public opinion.

Elaborating the Role of Narrative and Self-Determination Theory in Video Game Design Research

Abstract Narratives, defined as stories involving two or more events arranged in a chronological or causal sequence, are fundamental and ubiquitous characteristics of human communication and serve as an integral feature of many video games. Moreover, narratives can be understood in nuanced ways through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). Yet, the intersection of SDT and video game narratives has been surprisingly underexplored. This article reviews research on narrative media and examines how narratives can be integrated into games from the perspective of SDT and potential boundary conditions. We then explore how concepts from narrative theories and SDT can be integrated. The goal of this integration is to help guide future game design and identify new questions for future research related to: (1) the integration of parable narratives in video games, specifically parable narratives featuring characters’ personal transformation and growth and (2) predicting which video games people choose and prefer. We argue that scholars working with narrative theories and SDT can collaborate to advance video game research.

News Framing of the 2022 Russian-Ukrainian Conflict: A Comparative Analysis of CNN (USA) and CCTV (China) from a War and Peace Journalism Perspective

Framing analysis is a widely employed method for examining multiple narratives in media reporting to investigate potential political orientations and possible influences on viewers. However, there has been a lack of extensive investigation into the 2022 Russian-Ukrainian Conflict, specifically regarding the analysis of Western and Eastern media coverage from a war journalism and peace journalism perspective. To fill this vacancy, this study applied the Framing theory and the peace journalism model developed by Lee & Maslog (2005) to identify multiple strategies related to the themes, sources and war/peace journalism applied by CNN for America and CCTV for China. Analysing how CNN and CCTV present the conflict from WJ/PJ perspectives helps to facilitate an understanding of how two different media systems might shape their respective audiences’ perceptions according to different ideologies. The findings revealed that CNN mainly focused on “Humanitarian Crisis and Civilian Impacts” and “Military Operations and Strategic”, whereas CCTV predominantly centred on the themes of “Military Operations and Strategic” and “Political Reactions and Stances”. Additionally, CNN’s coverage overwhelmingly relies on Ukrainian sources and international voices, while CCTV is significantly centred on Russian sources and also includes considerable Ukrainian voices. Finally, CNN and CCTV both use a war journalism frame, but CCTV’s use of a peace journalism frame is slightly higher than CNN’s. This study displays similarities and differences in portraying international conflicts to diverse viewers, offering valuable insights into how Western and Eastern media influence perceptions of worldwide conflicts.

‘But I don’t watch television!’ Keeping late-night comedy and political satire relevant for the audience

What happens when members of the audience no longer sit in front of the television to be entertained by a regular late-night comedy and political satire broadcasts, choosing instead to access information and entertainment content via social media? What must late-night comedy and political satire do to adapt and remain relevant for younger audiences who simply ‘don’t watch television’ anymore? The article begins by engaging with how members of Generation Z consume entertainment content, reflecting on findings from survey data and learnings from teaching undergraduates enrolled in entertainment, media, and politics classes during each new election cycle. A discussion of late-night comedy and political satire shows’ impact on the media narrative and agenda is privileged, along with a review of current adaptations late-night comedy shows are making to increase audience engagement. The manuscript concludes by offering a detailed list of suggested strategies to help late-night comedy and political satire remain relevant for members of Generation Z who possess far different media habits than their parents and grandparents. Overall, the research offers a path forward for traditional network late-night comedy and political satire programming so that it can stay relevant and engaging well into the twenty-first century.

Trauma, bicultural immersion, and growing into self: The impacts of media narratives on former refugees

Background: Building on robust research linking discrimination and poorer mental health outcomes, the current study explores the impacts of macro-level attitudes, such as in media and politics, on refugee wellbeing during resettlement. Method: A purposive sample of six former refugees of Banyamulenge ethnicity from the Democratic Republic of Congo participated in semi-structured interviews. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, analyzed independently by two authors, and then jointly using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Five superordinate group experiential themes emerged from the data, Fleeing, rejection, and illusive safety, straddling two cultures, media stigmatizing identity, different is good, and, g rowth and wellbeing. Themes speak to overcoming turbulence and past trauma, of being othered and rejected along the way to safety that is often elusive. Participants grapple with bicultural identities, and the media’s power in shaping societal narratives. Over time, their history becomes a source of pride for redefining self through strength of character, resilience, and psychological growth. Discussion and conclusion: Findings indicate that for these participants, media was stigmatizing, and negatively impacted wellbeing, confidence, and self-esteem by threatening their self-identity and presenting challenges in other areas of their life, such as work, school, and friendships. Despite this, participants’ experiences of resettlement and bicultural immersion promoted personal growth and a positive outlook for the future. This study recognizes the need to elevate Banyamulenge youth voices as a group poorly represented in research and contributes to a better understanding of how macro-level attitudes in media impact the wellbeing of ethnic minority youth in Australia.

Orchestrated Outrage: Athletic Activism, Anger, and Media Narratives of WNBA Player’s Engagement in the Political Sphere

This paper examines how WNBA players collectively marshaled their anger against WNBA team owner, Kelly Loeffler, into positive political support of senate candidate, Raphael Warnock. While many scholars link anger with isolation, depression, and volatility, in this project, engaging Audre Lorde’s theorization of the uses of anger, I examine the WNBA’s public support for Warnock as a contemporary case study of women’s collective political momentum and productivity when driven by anger and rejection of the existing conditions. With this cultural landscape in mind, Critical Discourse Analysis was employed to examine how national and local news represented and covered the relationship between the WNBA’s endorsement of Warnock and his political success. From this, a critical-cultural record was built considering both how these WNBA players mobilized their collective anger to achieve their political goals, but also how the news media made these actions legible to the American public.

Initiation. Narrative. Identity. On the Relationship Between the Compositional Units of the Narrative and Initiation Rites

Historical Roots of the Fairy Tale, a book by V. Propp, still evokes mixed reviews from folklore researchers who critically perceive the main idea of ​​the work: the compositional elements of fairy tale plots are based on the ancient initiation rite. The Morphology of the Fairy Tale studies narrative systems; it was organically accepted by both researchers of mythopoetics and those studying contemporary narratives of new media, as well as scriptwriters-­practitioners. Whereas the ideas of the second book were perceived with great caution and were almost not considered productive. Even the supporters of the structural-­semiotic approach, taking into account both the different levels of text organisation and the disclosure of its semantic depths, saw prospects for the development of humanitarian knowledge, based on the opposition of their theories to Propp’s historical-­genetic method. However, it is essential that the ritual practices of initiation, underlying the compositional units of the narrative, performed the main socio-­cultural function of introducing the initiate into the life of the community through the acquisition of identity. Providing identity, the transitional rite of initiation essentially testified to the entry of the neophyte into life, endowed them with a status in the social hierarchy. Propp’s idea of ​​the connection between plots and ritual forms was reflected in such artistic practices as the dramaturgy of feature films, which gravitates toward a clear script structure.

Analysing the emerging discourses in the Ghanaian media around perennial flooding in Accra

ABSTRACT Climate change coupled with poor urban planning has facilitated the occurrence of flood disasters across cities in the Global South. While the media landscape remains a vibrant platform where expert knowledge is shared about the causes, patterns, risks and mitigation measures of the ravaging flood disasters, there is limited scientific knowledge about how the media narratives evolve and inform better policy formulation in addressing the floods. Using a Corpus-Assisted Discourse Studies (CADS) approach, we explore the discursive construction of perennial flooding in Accra in the Ghanaian press to bring to light emerging discourses around the phenomenon and how that contribute to remedying the problem. The findings revealed a hazy identification of the major causes of the floods in the news, and underscore the urgent need to embrace cogent measures and more proactive policies, firm commitment from the government, stakeholders and the inhabitants in the city to tackle the perennial floods.

Sporting words: how Indonesian commentators shape game narratives

This study analyses the Indonesian sport announcers in relation to their repositioning as integral constituents of the game through the use of language and cultural content and embedding them in the cultural context of the country. The main purpose is to analyze how commentators create stories that are appealing to audiences, evoke emotions as well as build up nationalism. In this qualitative study, commentary data from different broadcasts of sporting events is examined, with specific attention to emotionality, cultural and syntactical elements of language. The research shows that Indonesian narrators utilize storytelling techniques to captivate their audiences. Other issues accentuated are the themes of national togetherness or oneness, hardwork and solidarity that tended to be pronounced in important matches and international games. Some words or these images of language socialise the audience and positively prepare them to their devotion to the sport and unite them toward the success of the sport. For example, sentiments concerning success at the national level and pride at having originated from a successful area not only highlight narrower success but also extend it to the broader society. This study advances both sports and sociolinguistics by elaborating about language, culture and sports events in the context of Indonesia. It shows the importance of sports commentary as a means of fostering cultural identity and social integration. The study also describes how the commentators create stories appealing to the viewers and opens the way for future investigation into the role played by media narratives in developing public opinion and community participation. In its outcomes, this research broadens the appreciation of the role of sports commentary in the entertainment and cultural industries and emphasizes the influence of language and culture on the audience experience.

Mediating the Sugar Baby Imaginary: Popular Narratives About Gender and Sexuality in Sugar Dating

The internet is rife with opportunities to participate in dating practices, discourses about gender, romance, and sexuality, and, increasingly, efforts to restrict sexual expression. Therefore, it is important to square popular discourse with the perspectives and thought processes that color women’s participation in romantic and sexual phenomena. This article explores how media narratives about women who pursue relationships at the intersection of intimacy, social class, and labor map onto the realities of their lived experiences. Specifically, I compare an analysis of popular press articles about sugar dating—a mutually beneficial relationship practice wherein people engage in frank negotiations of companionship, intimacy, and material benefits—with interviews with 13 women who have participated in sugar dating. I sought to understand how these women defined sugar dating, what motivated them to sugar date, and where their sugar relationships felt most rewarding or difficult. I argue that, for women, sugar dating can be a site of both labor and leisure. These interviews complicate how contemporary press coverage tends to frame sugar dating, revealing important insights about how women may conform to but also challenge popular narratives about their identities, labor, sexual desires, and agency. My findings, therefore, constitute a narrative about sugar dating that captures the nuances of women’s thinking and operating logics. This is a crucial step forward in elevating the voices of those who participate in sugar dating and other romantic and sexual practices.

IMPACT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANIMATED CARTOONS ON PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: BENEFITS, CHALLENGES AND THE ROLE OF SPEECH THERAPISTS IN SERBIA AND BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

This paper examines the impact of foreign language animated cartoons on preschool children in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, highlighting both benefits and challenges. While cartoons can enhance vocabulary, pronunciation, comprehension, cultural awareness and second language acquisition, some speech therapists in these countries express concerns. They argue that early exposure to foreign languages via screens may cause confusion, language mixing, and excessive screen time. Some of this scepticism contradicts current scientific findings. Interviews with speech therapists show how expert opinions shared through popular media can shape caregivers’ practices, often leading to misconceptions. As most caregivers rely on media for information rather than scientific literature, this emphasises the need for researchers to communicate their findings effectively to the public. The study reviews literature and empirical evidence, highlighting the gap between media narratives and scientific research and offers practical recommendations for educators, therapists, caregivers, and policymakers.

The Mythical and Symbolic Dynamics of Tattooing in Melanie Fazi's Serpentine

This article offers a study of the mythical and symbolic dynamics of tattooing in Melanie Fazi's Serpentine, taking an approach based on the principles of mythocriticism. Far from being limited to an ornamental dimension, the tattoo in this novel becomes a central narrative medium, a vector of psychological and spiritual metamorphosis. By mobilizing the theories of Carl Jung on archetypes and Gilbert Durand on the symbolic imagination, the analysis reveals how magical inks – Mnemosyne, Somnifuge, Onirograph, Nocturne – update archetypal schemas, allowing the characters to transcribe their inner struggles in a cathartic approach. The body, thought of as a palimpsest, becomes the space for projecting unconscious anxieties and desires, thus articulating a dialectic between the visible and the invisible, the individual and the collective. The tattoo is then part of an initiatory logic, where the physical pain of the act represents a symbolic death and an identity rebirth. The article shows how Fazi redefines tattooing through a poetics of the body and myth, orchestrating a dialogue between ancestral motifs and contemporary issues of identity and memory. Serpentine thus presents itself as a complex reflection on transformation, rooted in a literary reinvention of universal archetypes.

Beyond representation: negotiating realism and the positive impact of media narratives with trans audiences

Beyond representation: negotiating realism and the positive impact of media narratives with trans audiences

Talking about strategy: the role of epic plot structures in international contracting

Emerging international markets are frequently characterized by high levels of economic and political uncertainty. Such inherent uncertainties render established ideas of competitive positioning problematic. An alternative perspective is developed which focuses on the day-to-day enactment of strategy through the medium of narrative. Narrative interviews with senior managers from Turkish international contracting firms provide insights into the contested storylines of strategy making. The plot structures mobilized are seen to comprise strategy making “in flight”. Senior managers are further held continuously to test emergent narratives against different audiences for the purposes of enhancing their persuasiveness. The aim is to instil an overall sense of coherence and direction among those with whom they interact. The temporal narratives mobilize epic plot structures from the past for the purposes of ascribing Turkish contractors with heroic identities in their quest for a desirable future. Yet the shared narratives also serve as a means of identity work through which the narrators strive to position themselves within their networks as acknowledged strategy makers. The espoused plot structures are further seen to coalesce to form a narrative infrastructure with direct implications for the future enactment of strategy. The research focus on the essential temporality of strategy narratives has important implications beyond the specific context of enquiry.

Candles of Change: Nonviolent Resistance in Sudan

Overthrowing dictatorial regimes presents a formidable challenge, as these governments often maintain tight control over state mechanisms and media narratives; this paper explores the concept of nonviolent resistance, particularly within the context of the Sudanese revolution, utilising a qualitative research methodology and gathers qualitative data through interviews and focus groups with key participants in the Sudanese nonviolent movements. These include secondary data from online reports from civil society organisations of members of Resistance Committees and women activists. It also examines the tactics and strategies employed by nonviolent movements, including sit-ins, media campaigns, and the strategic use of the “butterfly effect,” demonstrating how small, coordinated actions can lead to significant societal change. The paper concludes with recommendations to strengthen civil society, enhance the capacity of Resistance Committees, and ensure women’s continued participation in the political process. These measures are essential for preserving the revolution’s achievements and supporting Sudan’s transition towards a more democratic and peaceful future.

Exploring the Digital Practices of the Youth

This paper focuses on the evolving dynamics of digital youth engagement in revitalising public spaces, presenting a compelling case study of the Saigon Zoo-Botanical Garden in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden (also known as Saigon Zoo) was once a popular entertainment hub. However, during the 2000s, there was a gradual decline in interest among young visitors, attributed to negative narratives in the public media. This decline almost led to closure amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Aware of the situation, the youth began to embrace a proactive role in promoting the site through social media. They shared delightful moments of the zoo’s animals, setting a trend for taking portraits against the backdrop of its picturesque botanical scenery. Through both physical and digital involvement, the youth breathed fresh life into this historical destination, engaging in acts of photo-taking and photo-sharing when visiting the Saigon Zoo. This study explores the case of the Saigon Zoo, examining how digital involvement influences the youth’s perception and engagement with space. Given the nature of this study, the interview process and Photovoice method were employed to understand the digital-related behaviours of the youth. The findings underscore the positive impact of digital engagement on well-being while emphasising the need for a balanced approach to foster optimal engagement.

A Star is Born: An analysis of the media construction of Linda Caicedo’s sporting star status in Colombia

The teenage Colombian woman footballer Linda Caicedo has had a meteoric rise to prominence following her performances in several international tournaments in 2022 and 2023. Her star status is important to analyse from an intersectional perspective given her identity as a Black woman from humble Colombian origins. There has been insufficient analysis of the meanings and representations of Black women footballers, let al.one sportswomen from Latin America regarding their star construction. Therefore, this article investigates media narratives around Linda Caicedo, by analysing three Colombian publications, El Espectador, El Tiempo and Semana around the time of the 2022 Women’s Copa América, the 2022 Under 20 Women’s World Cup, the 2022 Under 17 Women’s World Cup, and the Women’s World Cup in 2023. We argue that media narratives present a rupture with traditional discourse around women’s football in Colombia, by constructing her star status around her exceptional playing attributes, her values and capacity to overcome obstacles.