Constructing Political Reality through Narrative Framing: A Content Analysis of Selected Instagram and X Accounts during the Events of December 2025–January 2026

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Majid Ghasemi 1
Mohammad Niyazi 2
1 PhD Student in Political Sociology, Allameh Tabataba’i University
2 Assistant Professor at the Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Art
10.22034/acmj.2026.601385.1023
Abstract
This study examines the construction of political realitythrough narrative framing in selected Instagram and X accounts concerning the events of Dey 1404 (December 2025–January 2026). Drawing on Snow and Benford’s framing theory and Jasper’s sociology of emotions, it employs directed qualitative content analysis. Ten accounts associated with a specific political current were purposively selected to examine its interpretive patterns while preserving diversity among political actors, media figures, artists, influencers, and a professional media outlet, rather than representing different opposition currents. The findings identify fifteen predefined codes organized into five frames: Collapse, Exceptional Moment, Changing Perceptions of Risk and Power, Framing of Violence, and Future. Together, these frames construct a particular interpretation of the political situation by emphasizing imminent collapse, the certainty of victory, the urgency of action, the perceived weakness of the opposing side, the possibility of success, normative representations of violence, and a desirable future. The study concludes that these interconnected frames form an interpretive package defining the political situation, temporality, risk and power, violence, and the political future. Since no independent audience data were collected, the findings concern the interpretive patterns within the messages rather than demonstrated effects on audience perceptions or behavior.
Keywords
Narrative Framing
Social Construction of Political Reality
Directed Qualitative Content Analysis
Framing of Violence
Dey 1404 Events (January 2026). events
Subjects
 
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Art, Culture and Media
Volume 1, Issue 2 - Serial Number 2
Autumn 2026
Pages 125-151

  • Receive Date 08 September 2026
  • Revise Date 12 October 2026
  • Accept Date 12 October 2026
  • First Publish Date 12 October 2026
  • Publish Date 23 September 2026