Comparing Women’s Political Participation, Representation, Image and Prominence in the Dictatorial and Democratic Regimes in the Elite English Press of Pakistan

Abstract

This study explores the representation, participation, image and prominence in the elite English press of Pakistan i.e. The Nation and DAWN in two different regimes i.e. dictatorship and democracy in the time period of Gen. Pervez Musharf from Jan. to Mar.2005 and President Asif Zardari during Jan. to Mar. 2010 about Women politicians. The triangulation research technique is carried out in this regard by formulating the categories of representation given to women politicians, image depiction, prominence i.e. placement and space given to issues, coverage of participation i.e. statements, suggestions and other categories in coding format and also covered all types of news bout women politician. The agenda setting and framing are grounded theories in order to determine the direction of the content. The findinds revealed that The Nation gave significant coverage to the issue of women politicians as compare to DAWN. However, in the dictatorship regime, women politicians reported significantly in news items as compare to the democratic regime. The placement remain moderate in both dailies which indicates that the representation of women politicians and issues related to their politics is not on the priority of media agenda.