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Behind The Framing Scenes: Qualitative Approaches to Analyze the NGO vs. Government Framing Strategies on Irregular Immigration Oyvind Ihlen, Tine Ustad Figenschou and Anna Grondahl Larsen U of Oslo, Norway Extended Abstract Immigration in general and “irregular” immigration in particular is a controversial, important and emotional issue worldwide. The restrictive immigration policy in many Western countries has also led to a wave of protests and political mobilization of irregular migrants and pro-migrant activists throughout Europe, North America and Australia (Nyers, 2010). In this paper we regard the authorities and the NGOs as so-called frame sponsors that confront each others in framing contests over how the issue of irregular immigration should be defined (problem definition), what causes the problems, and what solutions would work (Entman, 1993). The paper offers an innovative approach to framing contests in its behind-the-scenes ethnographic study of how two competing frame sponsors adapt to, and seek to exploit, the logic of the news media. The extant literature on immigration and the media has emphasized media content and to some extent media reception over news production (e.g., Horsti, 2008). Still, little is known about the production processes leading up to the news on migration. Based on data from extensive ethnographic fieldwork and 35 qualitative interviews with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and public authorities in a small western democracy (Norway), the paper moves beyond textual analysis in an in-depth analysis of the strategizing that goes on behind the scenes. Thus, the study extends the traditional political communication literature which has placed a strong emphasis on politicians in election campaigns (e.g., Sanders, 2009). By situating the strategies and actors in the broader political and social context, the paper also heeds the call for more ethnography in both political science and public relations (e.g., Everett & Johnston, 2012) and for more attention to power in framing research (Carragee & Roefs, 2004). The research questions are as follow: How do the authorities and NGOs work strategically behind the scenes to frame irregular immigration? How do they strive to maximize their resources, contest with each other, reflect on the challenges they face and adapt their communication strategies to the logic of the news media? And, finally, how do the two parties’ uneven resources and power limit and enable these framing strategies? References Carragee, K. M., & Roefs, W. (2004). The neglect of power in recent framing research. Journal of Communication, 54(2), 214-233. Entman, R. M. (1993). Framing: Toward clarification of a fractured paradigm. Journal of Communication, 43(4), 51-58. Everett, J. L., & Johnston, K. A. (2012). Toward an ethnographic imperative in public relations research. Public Relations Review, 38(4), 522-528. doi: 10.1016/j.pubrev.2012.05.006 Horsti, K. (2008). Overview of Nordic Media Research on immigration and Etnic relations. From text analysis to the study of Production, Use and Reception. Nordicom Review, 29(2), 275-293. Nyers, P. (2010). No one is illegal between city and nation. Studies in social justice, 4(2), 127-143. Sanders, K. (2009). Communicating politics in the twenty-first century. New York: Palgrace Mcmillan.