Study Analyzes Media Framing of Human-Elephant Conflict in India
A recent computational analysis investigates the representation of human-elephant conflict (HEC) in Indian English print media. It scrutinizes 1,968 comprehensive news articles, totaling 28,986 sentences, from a prominent English-language publication released between January 2022 and September 2025. This research, available on arXiv (ID: 2604.21496), employs a multi-model sentiment analysis approach that integrates long-context transformers, large language models, and a specialized Negative Elephant Portrayal Lexicon to assess sentiment, extract reasoning sentences, and uncover linguistic trends that lead to negative elephant depictions. Results indicate that media coverage predominantly features fear and aggression-related language. Although ecological factors of HEC have been extensively studied, the media's portrayal of this issue has not been thoroughly examined until this study, which represents the first extensive computational analysis of HEC framing in India, emphasizing its influence on public perception and policy.
Key facts
- Study analyzes 1,968 full-length news articles from a major English-language Indian outlet
- Articles span January 2022 to September 2025
- Total of 28,986 sentences examined
- Multi-model sentiment framework includes long-context transformers, LLMs, and Negative Elephant Portrayal Lexicon
- Findings show dominance of fear-inducing and aggression-related language
- First large-scale computational analysis of media framing of HEC in India
- Research published on arXiv with ID 2604.21496
- Human-elephant conflict rising across India due to habitat loss and expanding human settlements
Entities
Institutions
- arXiv
Locations
- India