Nytt vin i gamla flaskor. En kvalitativ analys av alternativa medier med statligt mediastöd

Abstract

Aim of thesis: The aim of this thesis is to examine the presence and character of propagandistic elements in news articles published by alternative media outlets that receive Swedish state media support. By analysing how such elements are articulated and embedded within journalistic content, the study seeks to contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between alternative media, journalistic ideals, and state-supported media systems. Theoretical framework: The study is grounded in framing theory, primarily drawing on Robert M. Entman’s conceptualisation of framing as a process through which certain aspects of reality are emphasised while others are downplayed. This framework is complemented by Chunfeng Lin’s theory of digital propaganda, which provides analytical tools for understanding how affect, narrative simplification, and platform logics shape contemporary propagandistic communication. Together, these perspectives enable an analysis of propagandistic elements not solely as disinformation, but as a communicative practice embedded in journalistic storytelling. Methods(s): The study employs a qualitative content analysis of selected news articles published in 2025 by three Swedish alternative media outlets - Nya Tider, Dagen and Proletären - that have been granted state media support. A deductive analytical approach is used, with categories derived from the theoretical framework to identify and interpret propagandistic elements in the material. The analysis focuses on linguistic choices, narrative structures, actor representation, and problem framing. Results: The results indicate that all analysed media outlets contain recurring propagandistic elements, albeit expressed in different ways and to varying degrees. These elements primarily manifest through selective framing, value-laden language, moral evaluations, and polarised representations. The findings suggest that propagandistic features can be present within factually correct reporting and that such elements are not necessarily incompatible with formal journalistic conventions, thereby complicating the distinction between journalism, opinion, and propaganda in state-supported alternative media.