ABSTRACT
This chapter argues for approaches to measuring media framing that are systematic and empirical, and presents one such approach-the "list of frames". The concept of framing can offer an alternative to the old objectivity and bias paradigm that was popular in mass communication research for years. Hackett has argued that researchers should shift their focus from the study of objectivity and bias to the study of ideology in the news. He suggested the concept of framing as one useful approach because it has the potential of getting beneath the surface of news coverage and exposing the hidden assumptions. According to Hackett, the concept of ideology transcends the concept of bias. He links the concept of framing with civic journalism and says journalists need to make more use of civic framing-framing that deals with public life and focuses on process. The advantages of an empirical approach to the study of framing include many of the standard advantages of social science research.
