This study analyses how the print media covers gender based violence. The print media has the advantage of making a longer impact on the minds of the reader with more in-depth reporting and analysis of issues, including those to do with gender based violence. Using copies of The Nation Newspaper for the period of three months, the study analysed how the stories in the newspaper covered gender based violence.
Using copies of "The Nation Newspaper" for the period of three months, the study analysed how the stories in the newspaper covered gender based violence. The study findings showed that there is low coverage on GBV in "The Nation Newspaper" and that the priority is not given to the GBV articles as there is small space given to the articles. It was also found that GBV articles are not prioritised in terms of placement and that sexual violence is a common type of GBV in the articles. Following the findings, the study therefore recommends that more space should be given to GBV stories and prioritising them by giving enough space to the stories and placing some of the stories on front pages. This will help to stop the malpractice and stops the negative effects that come with it.
Gender based violence (GBV) is defined as any harm or suffering that is perpetrated against a woman or girl, man or boy and that has a negative impact on the physical, sexual or psychological health, development or identity of the person. The root cause of GBV is gender based power inequalities and gender based discrimination. GBV occurs across all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and in many societies, including Malawi. Women are socialized to accept, tolerate, and even rationalize domestic violence and to remain silent about such experiences.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Gender Based Violence- Overview
1.3. Gender Based Violence in Malawi
1.4 Forms of Gender Based Violence
1.5 Problem Statement
1.6 Study and objectives
1.6.1 Specific Objectives
1.7 Hypothesis
1.8 Rationale
1.9 Dissertation structure
1.10 Conclusion
2. Literature Review
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Literature review
2.2 Conclusion
3. Theoretical Framework
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Media theories
3.1.1 The agenda setting theory of media
3.1.2 The priming theory
3.2 Conclusion
4. Methodology
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Study Design
4.2 Population and sample size
4.3 Sampling Technique
4.4 Data Collection
4.5 Data Analysis
4.6 Conclusion
5. Study Findings and Discussion
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Study findings
5.1.1 Forms of violence
5.1.1.1 Sexual Violence
5.1.2. Psychological
5.1.1.3. Physical violence
5.1.1.4 Economic violence
5.1.2 Space
5.1.3 Types of Reporting
5.3 Conclusion
6. Conclusions
6.0 Introduction
6.1 Key findings
6.2 Conclusion
6.3 Recommendations
6.4 Areas for further study
Research Objectives and Themes
This study aims to assess how the print media in Malawi, specifically The Nation Newspaper, covers issues of gender-based violence (GBV) by evaluating the frequency, types of reporting, and space allocation for such stories.
- Assessment of print media coverage of GBV
- Identification of common forms of violence reported
- Evaluation of space allocation for GBV articles
- Analysis of reporting techniques (basic, investigative, analytical)
- Impact of agenda-setting and priming on public awareness
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Gender Based Violence- Overview
Gender based violence (GBV) is defined as any harm or suffering that is perpetrated against a woman or girl, man or boy and that has a negative impact on the physical, sexual or psychological health, development or identity of the person (Sida, 2015). The root cause of GBV is gender based power inequalities and gender based discrimination. GBV occurs across all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, and in many societies, including Malawi. Women are socialized to accept, tolerate, and even rationalize domestic violence and to remain silent about such experiences.
Current estimates of gender based violence indicate that between 80% of women worldwide have been physically and sexually assaulted by a male partner at least once in their lives (Oladepo & Arulogun, 2011). GBV happens at home, at workplace or any other place where there is interaction of the people. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO 2011), high-risk groups comprise workers in formal and informal economies and include office and factory workers, day labourers, dependent family workers and Women farmers.
Gender based violence is a violation of universal human rights protected by International Human Rights Conventions (IHRC) ( Inter-Agency Standing Committee, 2012), including the right to security of person, the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, the right to freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and the right to life.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the study's background, problem statement, research objectives, and the overall structure of the dissertation regarding media coverage of GBV.
2. Literature Review: Examines existing scholarly research on how print media covers gender-based violence globally and regionally to identify current research gaps.
3. Theoretical Framework: Explains the application of agenda-setting and priming theories to understand how media influences public perception and the importance of specific news topics.
4. Methodology: Details the quantitative research design, sampling techniques, and data analysis methods used to evaluate 60 editions of The Nation Newspaper.
5. Study Findings and Discussion: Presents the analyzed data regarding the types of violence reported, space allocation, and the quality of reporting within the selected articles.
6. Conclusions: Summarizes the key findings and provides recommendations for media practitioners to improve GBV reporting and suggests areas for future research.
Keywords
Gender Based Violence, Print Media, The Nation Newspaper, Agenda Setting, Priming Theory, Sexual Violence, Physical Violence, Media Coverage, Reporting, Malawi, Human Rights, Awareness, News Analysis, Investigative Journalism, Social Impact
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on assessing the coverage of gender-based violence (GBV) stories in The Nation Newspaper in Malawi to determine if the media is fulfilling its role in raising public awareness.
What are the central themes of the study?
The study centers on the forms of violence reported, the prominence (space allocation) given to these stories, and the depth of the reporting techniques used by journalists.
What is the core objective of the dissertation?
The primary objective is to analyze how the print media currently reports on GBV and to provide data-driven recommendations on how to improve coverage to help eradicate GBV in Malawi.
Which scientific method does the author employ?
The author uses a quantitative research design, specifically conducting a content analysis of 60 issues of The Nation Newspaper published over three months.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body covers the theoretical background (agenda-setting and priming), the methodology for content analysis, and a detailed breakdown of findings regarding the prevalence of sexual, psychological, physical, and economic violence in reporting.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Gender Based Violence, Print Media, Media Coverage, Agenda Setting, Priming Theory, and Investigative Journalism.
Why were the agenda-setting and priming theories chosen?
These theories were chosen to explain how the media influences the public's perception of what issues are important and how information about GBV is processed and stored in the human mind.
What specific finding regarding space allocation is highlighted?
The study found that the majority of GBV articles were brief (1-5 paragraphs), suggesting that such stories are not given the prominence required to drive meaningful social change.
- Citation du texte
- Bernard Kankhono (Auteur), 2020, Media Coverage of Gender based violence in Malawi. A case study of the Nation newspaper, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/974498
