Unit:
Department of English Language and LiteratureLibrary of the School of Philosophy
Dissertation committee:
κ. Βασιλική Μητσικοπούλου, Καθηγήτρια, τμήμα Αγγλικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
κ. Βασιλική Νικηφορίδου, Καθηγήτρια, τμήμα Αγγλικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
κ. Αγγελική Τζάννε, Καθηγήτρια, τμήμα Αγγλικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
κ. Σοφία Μαρμαρίδου, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια, τμήμα Αγγλικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας, ΕΚΠΑ
κ. Αναστασία Στάμου, Καθηγήτρια, τμήμα Γερμανικής Γλώσσας και Φιλολογίας, ΑΠΘ
κ. Σαλώμη Μπουκάλα, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, τμήμα Κοινωνικής Ανθρωπολογίας, Πάντειο
κ. Μαρία Γεωργάλου, Επίκουρη Καθηγήτρια, Παιδαγωγικό Τμήμα Νηπιαγωγών, Παν. Δυτικής Μακεδονίας
Original Title:
Μedia representations of social actors in the 2015 Greek elections amidst the economic crisis: A corpus-based critical discourse analysis
Translated title:
Μedia representations of social actors in the 2015 Greek elections amidst the economic crisis: A corpus-based critical discourse analysis
Summary:
ABSTRACT
This thesis examines media representations of the economic crisis in Greece during the crucial 2015 electoral period. Using a methodological framework that combines Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) with Corpus Linguistics (CL), this study incorporates Halliday's Transitivity Theory and van Leeuwen's Representation of Social Actors framework to analyse the representations of key social actors (Greece, EU, Syriza/Tsipras, and Austerity) in mainstream and alternative media, and in particular in American and British newspapers and blogs.
The findings reveal significant differences in the representation of these actors, shaped by the media's ideological positions, particularly their views on austerity policies. Mainstream media often depicted austerity as a necessary economic policy, casting Syriza and Tsipras in a negative light during their anti-austerity phase, and portraying them more favorably as their stance softened. Greece was consistently represented as needing fiscal discipline, with mainstream media narratives shifting from criticism to cautious optimism as the Greek government showed a willingness to implement austerity measures. The EU was depicted in the mainstream media as the enforcer of austerity and a stabilizing force. Its power was emphasized more strongly when austerity measures were contested, while references to its authority diminished as the acceptance of austerity increased.
Conversely, the alternative media offered a contrasting perspective, often celebrating Syriza and Tsipras's anti-austerity stance as a courageous stand against economic oppression. However, as Syriza's stance on austerity softened, alternative media shifted to a more critical view, expressing disappointment and describing the shift as a betrayal of anti-austerity ideals. The portrayal of Greece in the alternative media consistently emphasised the humanitarian impact of austerity, focusing on the social costs and depicting the Greek people as victims of external economic policies. The EU was criticised for its harsh measures and represented as a coercive force exacerbating Greece's economic problems.
This study contributes to the field of linguistics by demonstrating the critical role of language in the construction of social realities and public perceptions during economic crises, highlighting the interplay between media, ideology and politics. It does not only enhance our understanding of media discourse during the economic crisis in Greece, but also provides a methodological blueprint for future studies examining media representations in similar contexts. The findings underscore the importance of critically engaging with media content to uncover underlying ideological biases and their impact on public perception and policy.
Main subject category:
Language – Literature
Keywords:
Critical Discourse Analysis, Corpus Linguistics, Systemic Functional Grammar, Mainstream Media, Alternative Media, Neoliberalism, Austerity
Number of index pages:
12
Number of references:
227
