Communicating contentious issues in Canada: Analyzing media discourse of medical assistance in dying (MAID)

Examining the ways medical assistance in dying (MAID) discourse is presented in the media, this thesis analyzes the key themes, issues and contentions found throughout the topic in Canada's two national papers, The Globe and Mail and the National Post. Through a mixed-methods approach of qualitative and quantitative means, this study examines the period in and around June 17, 2016 when MAID legislation came into effect up to July 1, 2019 using a thematic content analysis, framing analysis, and sentiment analysis approach. Collectively, these methods allowed for an in-depth analysis and breakdown of the ethical, moral, religious, and personal beliefs that contribute to key contentions around the topic of MAID, supplemented by five in-depth interviews among individuals with vested interest in the subject matter. Together, these methods aimed to explore the way contentious issues are presented in the media in the context of medical assistance in dying.