Representations of trade union rights in us media outlets: A framing theory-based content analysis across political leanings

In the United States, after the Covid-19 pandemic, workers’ unionization efforts have become more visible. Media discourse plays a critical role in shaping public perception of trade union rights. This study uses Goffman's approach, which defines frames as interpretive schemes, and is grounded in Entman's framing functions and Scheufele's understanding of frame-building. Based on AD Fontes Media’s classification, this study selected 12 media outlets with equal representation of right-, center-, and left-leaning perspectives. 213 news articles published since the start of the pandemic were analyzed using the MASQDA program within the framing theory. Through frequency and thematic analysis, the study examined which frames were highlighted, whether there were differences across political leanings, and how ideological positions affected news representations. Findings show that right-leaning media adopted a negative stance—though not explicitly—toward union rights, while left-leaning outlets showed a more supportive tone. Center-leaning media generally remained informational. Overall, media outlets frequently linked labor issues with current political debates and focused more on the unions’ power and strategies. Except for some left-leaning outlets, the frame for rights concerning workers' collective actions is weak, and companies' anti-union policies were underreported. In this regard, it has been argued that the pro-capital stance in the US media affects news coverage of union rights.