Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity Frames

This article examines the media framing of the demonstrations in North Macedonia’s capital againstthe French proposal aimed at resolving the country’s dispute with Bulgaria and initiating EU accessiontalks. The protests, held from July 2, 2022 to July 16, 2022 under the slogan “Ultimatum, No Thanks,...

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Main Author: Samet Yerköy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Marmara University 2024-12-01
Series:Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi
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Online Access:https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3953870
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author Samet Yerköy
author_facet Samet Yerköy
author_sort Samet Yerköy
collection DOAJ
description This article examines the media framing of the demonstrations in North Macedonia’s capital againstthe French proposal aimed at resolving the country’s dispute with Bulgaria and initiating EU accessiontalks. The protests, held from July 2, 2022 to July 16, 2022 under the slogan “Ultimatum, No Thanks,”reflected widespread opposition to the proposal, which many saw as detrimental to Macedonian nationalinterests. Through a qualitative analysis of media coverage, specifically focusing on online media outlets,the study explores how different frames, such as Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity, shapedpublic discourse and perceptions of the protests. The government’s portrayal of the proposal as protectingthe Macedonian language and identity contrasts sharply with the opposition’s view of it as leading tothe ‘Bulgarization’ of the nation. This research fills a crucial gap in understanding the interplay betweenidentity politics, diplomatic negotiations, and media representation in times of high political tension. Theissue remains highly relevant today as it continues to be a significant obstacle to North Macedonia’s EUaccession. The findings suggest that media framing significantly influences public opinion and politicaloutcomes. Furthermore, the study highlights the broader implications for interethnic relations in theWestern Balkans and the ongoing EU accession processes.
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spelling doaj-art-a51578d626394a7cb2c30b27f1b363962025-01-26T09:23:54ZengMarmara UniversityTürkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi2630-62202024-12-014611714310.17829/turcom.14894753Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity FramesSamet Yerköyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-2682-4986This article examines the media framing of the demonstrations in North Macedonia’s capital againstthe French proposal aimed at resolving the country’s dispute with Bulgaria and initiating EU accessiontalks. The protests, held from July 2, 2022 to July 16, 2022 under the slogan “Ultimatum, No Thanks,”reflected widespread opposition to the proposal, which many saw as detrimental to Macedonian nationalinterests. Through a qualitative analysis of media coverage, specifically focusing on online media outlets,the study explores how different frames, such as Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity, shapedpublic discourse and perceptions of the protests. The government’s portrayal of the proposal as protectingthe Macedonian language and identity contrasts sharply with the opposition’s view of it as leading tothe ‘Bulgarization’ of the nation. This research fills a crucial gap in understanding the interplay betweenidentity politics, diplomatic negotiations, and media representation in times of high political tension. Theissue remains highly relevant today as it continues to be a significant obstacle to North Macedonia’s EUaccession. The findings suggest that media framing significantly influences public opinion and politicaloutcomes. Furthermore, the study highlights the broader implications for interethnic relations in theWestern Balkans and the ongoing EU accession processes.https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3953870media framingnorth macedoniabulgariaeu accessionwestern balkansmedya çerçevelemesikuzey makedonyabulgaristanab üyeliğibatı balkanlar
spellingShingle Samet Yerköy
Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity Frames
Türkiye İletişim Araştırmaları Dergisi
media framing
north macedonia
bulgaria
eu accession
western balkans
medya çerçevelemesi
kuzey makedonya
bulgaristan
ab üyeliği
batı balkanlar
title Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity Frames
title_full Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity Frames
title_fullStr Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity Frames
title_full_unstemmed Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity Frames
title_short Media Framing of “Ultimatum, No Thanks” Protests in North Macedonia: Analyzing Nationalist Confrontation and Ethnic Solidarity Frames
title_sort media framing of ultimatum no thanks protests in north macedonia analyzing nationalist confrontation and ethnic solidarity frames
topic media framing
north macedonia
bulgaria
eu accession
western balkans
medya çerçevelemesi
kuzey makedonya
bulgaristan
ab üyeliği
batı balkanlar
url https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/3953870
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