Representations of Sociopolitical and Economic Issues in the Zambian Press Since the Fall of <i>The Post</i> Newspaper: A Critical Discourse Analysis of <i>The Mast</i> and <i>News Diggers!</i> Newspapers

This research analyses the editorial approaches of two leading Zambian newspapers, The Mast and News Diggers!, both successors to The Post, employing Critical Discourse Analysis as the methodological framework. The study examines and contrasts the portrayal of sociopolitical and economic discourse within news coverage. This article analyses language devices used, framing strategies and ideological positioning in stories and editorials published during key political events, such as the Annual Presidential Address to Parliament during the official opening in September and the National Budget Presentation and debate in October and November 2024, among others. A purposive sample of 30 news stories was selected, comprising 15 from each newspaper. Findings and analysis show that The Mast adopts an oppositional, emotive style, framing issues as crises, employing rhetorical devices such as metaphors and hyperbole to critique government leadership and positioning itself as a voice for the marginalised. In contrast, News Diggers! emphasises balanced, evidence-based reporting, often using neutral language and empirical data to foster rational and critical debate.