INDIAN MEDIA COVERAGE OF SECTARIAN CONFLICT IN GILGIT- BALTISTAN: A FRAMING ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study investigates the press representation of sectarian conflicts in Gilgit-Baltistan within Indian media discourse. Using a qualitative framing analysis, it explores the key themes, dominant narratives, and reporting patterns employed in coverage of this sensitive issue. The research was motivated by the need to understand how media narratives shape public imagination, particularly when constructed through a geopolitical lens. The study examines how Indian media represented the concerned parties, attributed causes, and proposed solutions to sectarian conflicts, while also assessing the broader impact of these narratives on societal perceptions. Findings reveal that Indian media largely adopted a conflict-centric framing, often neglecting historical and contextual dimensions and portraying Gilgit-Baltistan as a volatile region marked by extremism. The analysis further indicates that national political agendas significantly influenced coverage, with narratives characterized by sensationalism, criticism of Pakistani institutions, and the absence of local voices. The study concludes that such representations contribute to skewed perceptions of the region. These insights may assist policymakers, media practitioners, and citizens in working toward a more nuanced and balanced understanding of Gilgit-Baltistan.