Media Framing, Ethical Reporting, and Public Discourse in the Aftermath of the 2025 Fatal Helicopter Crash in Ghana

Following the August 6, 2025 military helicopter crash in Ghanathat led to the death of two high-ranking government ministersand six others, this study explores media framing, ethicalreporting, and public discourse surrounding the tragedy.Grounded in Framing Theory, Agenda-Setting Theory, andMedia and Trauma Theory, the study employed an interpretivist,qualitative design incorporating Critical Discourse Analysisand thematic analysis. Data were purposively sampled from fivemajor Ghanaian digital media platforms, press statements fromthe Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), National MediaCommission (NMC), Ghana Armed Forces, and GhanaPsychological Association (GPA), and verified social mediacommentaries. The study also deployed semi-structuredinterviews with some editors, journalists, and ethical reportingscholars. Findings showed mainstream media largely avoidedsensationalism, promoting unity and ethical restraint, whilefringe platforms circulated trauma contents. The studyhighlights the need for trauma-informed journalism to supportethical and sensitive crisis reporting in Ghana’s medialandscape.