Snowflake White and Politically Right: Photographic Framing in News Media Coverage of Stem Cell Research

Although framing studies traditionally focus on text, this study examines news photographs of stem cell research. Based on the ability of the media to set the public agenda, and given the fact that stem cell research provokes such vehement debate, it is crucial that we have a clear understanding of how the media frame stem cell research. For both newspapers studied, the science and politics frames clearly dominated. Based on key findings, this research indicates that in the news photos analyzed, the media de-emphasized the scientific perspective in favor of focusing on the political strategy and the ethical reservations rising out of one particular political and religious perspective.