Evaluation of Television News Framing of Domestic Violence Against Men in Nyeri County

Abstract

This study sought to evaluate Television news framing of domestic violence against men in Nyeri County. The study used Nyeri County because it was the only County featured when reporting these cases. The study was descriptive and utilized mixed method approach. The study objectives were to establishing frames used, finding out the frequency of airing of domestic violence cases against men, to establish the level of seriousness attached to domestic violence against men and to examine media stereotyping of Nyeri County. The study used News Framing and Agenda Setting theories. YouTube video clips of these cases were reviewed and respondents filled in questionnaires while others were interviewed. The study‟s units of analysis were NTV, KTN, Citizen TV and K24 in the period January 2012 to December 2015. Purposive sampling was used for this study. Data was interpreted in line with the objectives using qualitative and quantitative content analysis. Quantitative content analysis was presented using charts while qualitative content analysis was presented using narrative method. The study found out that media are stereotypical. The stories aired were all drawn from Nyeri County despite the Kenya Demographic Survey of 2014 indicating that other Counties had the same problem. The study also established that media does not assign seriousness to the issue of domestic violence against men due to the humorous tone taken in packaging this stories, the frequency of airing such stories and the lack of adequate follow up and analysis. The study found out that frames of brutality, trauma, law and order, crime and justice and fairness and equality were used. The study recommends more coverage of domestic violence against men, not only in Nyeri County but other Counties as well. The study also recommends that the media should desist from using these stories as a form of comic relief so that solutions can be found to end domestic violence against men. The study also proposes further research into this area and other related areas.