The Battle of Narratives: Mainstream vs. Alternative Media Framing of Anwar Ibrahim

Sofia Hayati Yusoff

Abstract


The 15th Malaysian General Election (GE15) in 2022 marked a pivotal moment in the nation’s political landscape, culminating in Malaysia’s first-ever hung parliament and the subsequent formation of a unity government led by Anwar Ibrahim. Throughout this period, the online media played a crucial role in shaping public perception. This study compares Anwar Ibrahim’s portrayal in mainstream and alternative media, focusing on Utusan Malaysia and Harakah Daily during the GE campaign. Employing a mixed-methods content analysis, the research integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The quantitative analysis examines the frequency of news coverage and the sources cited, while the qualitative component explores dominant themes and the degree of bias in media representations of Anwar Ibrahim. The study used purposive sampling to collect relevant news articles published between November 5 and November 18, 2022. The findings reveal notable differences in framing between the two news portals: Utusan Malaysia has largely reflected establishment narratives, whereas Harakah Daily offered a divergent perspective. The study uncovers patterns of bias and favouritism, illustrating how media ownership and political affiliations influence news narratives. By contributing to academic discourse on media bias and framing in Malaysia, this research offers valuable insights into how political figures are represented across different media landscapes. The findings underscore the profound impact of media framing on public perception and democratic discourse, highlighting the critical importance of media literacy and informed engagement with news content.

 

Keywords: Media framing, Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysian General Election, mainstream media, alternative media.

 

https://doi.org/10.17576/JKMJC-2026-4203-34


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