International News: Methods, Data and Theory

In: Journal of peace research, Band 11, Heft 2, S. 145-156

Abstract

The flow & structure of international news in general & the Johan Galtung-Mari Holmboe Ruge theory ("The Structure of Foreign News," Journal of Peace Research, 1965, 2, 64-91 & Oystein Sande, "The Perception of Foreign News," Journal of Peace Research, 1971, 8, 221-237) in particular are discussed from a methodological, empirical, & theoretical perspective. Most of the attempts that have been made empirically to test the Galtung-Ruge theory are far from satisfactory, especially the additivity & complementarity hypotheses, which neglect extramedia data. Indeed, the construction of the theory as a whole is such that it may be difficult if not impossible to disprove it in its totality, although parts of it may be quite amenable to empirical tests. Some tests are presented based on K. E. Rosengren's research on coverage of parliamentary elections (INTERNATIONAL NEWS: METHODS, DATA, AND THEORY, Lund, Sweden: U Lund, 1973 [mimeo]). The outcome of these tests leads to the conclusion that the Galtung-Ruge theory--largely psychological in its approach--should be placed within a broader perspective, ie, within an economic & political perspective. In A REJOINDER, Johan Galtung responds to each of Rosengren's criticisms: (1) that the negative r could have resulted from a negative r in the universe, (2) that there may be a selection relative to reality, & (3) that the theory is practically untestable. 3 Tables. Modified Author's Summary.