Framing food insecurity: An analysis of linguistic and conceptual metaphors in Pakistani media discourse during the Ukraine war

Abstract

Metaphor analysis in media studies is crucial as it unveils the hidden narratives and cognitive structures that underlie the portrayal of critical issues, offering a deeper insight into how media shapes public perceptions and influences policy decisions. The current article's exploration of metaphors in Pakistani media discourse during the Ukraine conflict sheds light on the persuasive power of metaphors in framing food insecurity, making a significant contribution to understanding their role in shaping public discourse during global crises. This article presents a qualitative content analysis of linguistic and conceptual metaphors used in Pakistani media discourse during the Ukraine conflict to frame food insecurity. The study addresses three research questions: what are the dominant metaphors used, what are their functions in shaping public perceptions, and what is the metaphors’ potential for addressing food insecurity during global crises. Food insecurity is depicted as a natural calamity, an economic crisis, and a state of emergency according to an examination of stories in three major English-language Pakistani newspapers: Dawn, The News International, and The Express Tribune. These evoked strong feelings, communicated urgency, and placed blame for the issue on different parties. The metaphors also functioned to highlight the gravity of the situation and called for quick action from the government and international community.