Alternative vs. Traditional News: A Content Analysis of News Coverage of the 10th Anniversary of Sept. 11

This research sought to understand the differences in framing used by alternative media outlets and traditional or mainstream media outlets. Researchers used a sampling of articles about the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks from alternative media publications and traditional media publications to conduct this study. Computer software analyzed these articles to determine themes and concepts within both data sets. The analysis revealed traditional media was less varied in themes than was alternative media, with the latter clearly showing an effort to be analytical of different aspects surrounding the Sept. 11 attacks. Traditional media largely provided routine coverage of commemorative services and very little critical analysis.