| dc.description.abstract | Many sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) stories have been broadcast and
published in Kenyan media but there are limited studies on how the media frames SGBV.
This is why the researcher undertook to study reporting of SGBV in Kenya media to
understand how and why it is framed. Framing of sexual and gender-based violence was
studied because SGBV is an ill that affects society and stories on gender violence and
sexual violence have been in the news. Framing theory is used to define the aspects of the
study and to guide the researcher on how to identify the frames media use in reporting on
SGBV. The researcher used a case – Justice for Liz – to understand how media in Kenya
frame SGBV. Newspaper articles on Justice for Liz were used and respondents were also
interviewed to find out their views on SGBV. Purposive sampling was used to select the
sample for the study. Data was interpreted using textual analysis. The study found out
that media is judgemental and negatively critical in reporting on sexual and gender-based
violence. The media criticises the aggressors or perpetrators and vilifies them. The media
judges them even before they are given a fair hearing in court. The study also found out
that media are activists. The media can come up with and support an agenda. In reporting
on SGBV, the media are activists for sexual assault victims and demand prosecution of
the perpetrators and justice for the victims. The media also calls for help – financial and
psychological – for the victims, so they can be treated, and heal from the physical and
psychological injuries of the assault. The study found out that frames such as brutality,
injustice, chauvinism and feminism were present in reporting of SGBV stories in
Kenya.The study recommends for more coverage of stories on rape and sexual violence
by the media. It also calls for the need for accurate, fair and balanced reporting on issues
of sexual violence. The study further suggests the need for other studies related to sexual
violence and rape, thus making practical steps towards dealing with this problem | en_US |
