O'Neill, BrendaMcBrien, Alex2012-11-162013-06-152012-11-162012http://hdl.handle.net/11023/319This thesis concerns the topic of how media communicate democracy, and uses the prorogation of Parliament in 2008 as its case study. A content analysis of the Toronto Star, National Post, and Le Devoir was performed to answer the question of what agendas and frames were used by the media (i.e., newspapers) when covering the prorogation crisis in 2008. Analysis of the agendas and frames used by federal political parties was also done to understand the impact that frames and agendas had on newspaper coverage. This study utilized both frame and agenda setting theory to determine which agendas and frames were most salient during the prorogation crisis of 2008. The results suggest that newspapers placed more salience on frames and agendas concerning socialists, separatists, questions of political leadership, and regional divisions, rather than communicating the role of responsible government in a Westminster Parliamentary system.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Mass CommunicationsFramingAgenda Setting TheoryNewspapersMediaContent AnalysisDemocracyPopulist DemocracyResponsible GovernmentProrogationParliamentFrame Theorymaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/27462