The Framing of Violence Against Women (VAW) in Print Media: An Analysis of two Namibian Newspapers (The Namibian and New Era)

ABSTRACT: This study focused on the framing of VAW in the print media in Namibia, it exposed the masculine nature of media reports on VAW. From the perspectives of media discourse on gender, this research study uses both quantitative and qualitative analysis to explore the framing of violence against women (VAW) in the Namibian print media. The research study is located within the broad contexts of theory and methodology of both journalism and gender studies. News articles, photos, commentaries and editorial were collected from two newspapers, The Namibian and New Era, covering the period of 1 January to 31 December 2013. VAW has become a day-to-day tragedy for women in Namibia while it has also now become a steady fodder of news in the print media. The media have a significant responsibility of projecting the seriousness and need for attention to social issues as VAW in the society. The research study exposed how the VAW media reports are event-based failing to give in-depth analysis and bring out the seriousness of the VAW issue. While on the other hand the study reveals a news media discourse which prioritises men’s voices over women’s voices in the VAW reports analysed. The study also concludes that the print media in Namibia exhibits a press routine system that marginalises and ostracises women when it comes to VAW reportage which reflects a patriarchal discourse. iv In this framework, the study draws our attention to the need for media changes in the coverage of social issues like VAW for the benefit of society. Keywords: Women, print media, framing, violence against women, media discourse.