Strategic Financial Communication in Times of Crisis: An Analysis of Indian Financial Dailies
Abstract
Purpose: This study investi gates the media representati on of the 2020 stock market crash by three leading Indian fi nancial dailies—Business
Standard, Financial Express, and Mint—during the COVID-19 pandemic, and examines the role of these newspapers in shaping public percepti on and investor senti ment during a fi nancial crisis.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitati ve content analysis and quanti tati ve assessment. Front-page arti cles from the selected newspapers were analyzed over an 11-day period, focusing on the content, tone, headline design, and themati c framing. Arti cles were categorized and analyzed for patt erns in reportage and the frequency of specifi c keywords related to the stock market crash.
Findings: The study reveals signifi cant diff erences in coverage among the newspapers, with Business Standard publishing the most arti cles.
The predominant use of “Flush Left ” headlines indicates emphasis, and the themati c focus was mainly on the immediate impacts of the crash, regulatory responses, and investor advisory during uncertainty. The framing varied from technical analysis to cauti onary tones, refl ecti ng
att empts to balance urgency and avoid panic. The study highlights the critical role of media in fi nancial markets, infl uencing public percepti on and investor behavior during crises.
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