Framing the War on Terror in Canadian Newspapers: Cascading Activation, Canadian Leaders, and Newspapers

This essay examines the differences in coverage of the Afghanistan and the Second Persian Gulf War within the Toronto Star, Winnipeg Free Press, and Vancouver Sun. I examine Robert M. Entman's model by exploring the role foreign news outlets play in the dissemination of American foreign policy frames across the globe. In cases where the frame offered by the White House is accepted by the foreign leaders, journalists extend and enhance it, but in instances where there is disagreement with the White House frame reporters enhance the elite criticism offered toward the White House. This essay contributes to a better understanding of Entman's cascading activation model for news framing as it explores how White House frames cascade through foreign leaders and foreign media.