Print Media Reports of Sexual Violence Against Women: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Sexual violence against women has been increasing day by day and the media reporting of these incidents seems to be flawed and biased. This study has taken the initiative to look into this issue by studying the media reports on sexual violence qualitatively. The aim of the study is to find out whether there is a misrepresentation in reporting the news items related to sexual violence against women in print media. This study analyzed the differences in reporting of sexual violence against women in various newspapers in one month period after the Nirbhaya case happened. Nirbhaya case has put a bench mark in creation of various laws against sexual violence in India. It has had an impact worldwide, leading to awareness and generating studies and strategies to prevent such incidents. The data collected was analyzed using discourse analysis and content analysis. It was found out that there are differences in the way of reporting of sexual violence against women among the newspapers.