Media and Representation in Political Processes

Media plays an important role in shaping political narratives and influencing public perceptions of political actors, institutions, and policies. This panel examines the complex relationship between media and representation in political processes, examining how media channels construct, distort, or reinforce political identities and power structures. From traditional broadcast outlets to digital platforms, the selected papers highlight how media both reflects and actively shapes the sociopolitical landscape.
One prominent theme in the panel is the role of media in constructing political narratives. Representation is another critical focus, particularly in portraying marginalized or contested identities. The panel is searching for possible answers to the following questions. How is nationalist imagery used to build exclusionary narratives, providing insights into how media becomes a battleground for cultural and political identity? How does the emotive rhetoric employed in political communication uncover its role in shaping public perceptions of ministerial competence and authority? In addition, the panel addresses the increasing hybridization of media formats and their implications for political representation. As boundaries between entertainment and political messaging blur, the media's influence on representation expands into uncharted territory, raising questions about authenticity, trust, and the commodification of political personas.
Through these diverse investigations, the panel aims to uncover patterns and nuances in how media represents—and sometimes misrepresents—political realities. By engaging with case studies from various cultural and geopolitical contexts, this session provides a comprehensive look at the interplay between media narratives and political representation, offering valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in the evolving dynamics of political communication.