Vapid or Vague? Reassessing Media Within the Narrative Policy Framework

ABSTRACT The Narrative Policy Framework's (NPF) media hypothesis posits that the media are policy actors, actively contributing to policy debates. However, recent critics have argued that the hypothesis is potentially “vapid” due to its failure to contextualize when, how, and why the media contribute to policy processes. This study considers the merit of this critique through an empirical case study of Ghana's energy crisis. Using a content analysis of news coverage from two leading Ghanaian media organizations—one privately owned and one state‐owned—we examine when and how the media act as contributors. Employing a longitudinal design, we use established NPF variables to track the narrative form and content of news published between 2014 and 2017—the peak of the Ghanaian energy crisis. In further exploring why the media contribute, we consider the Ghanaian media context using Hallin and Mancini's Comparative Media Models. Our findings indicate that, contrary to much of the existing NPF literature, the Ghanaian media outlets primarily served as conduits. However, they assumed more active contributor roles during periods of intensified crisis and political transition—particularly the private news outlet. We also find that the form of media contribution varies: the private outlet emphasized causal stories and blame, while the state‐owned outlet prioritized policy solutions and heroization. These findings have implications not only for the NPF but also for the broader understanding of the media's role in the policy process.