Unveiling the Portrayal of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the Media

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a pervasive global issue. The media plays a significant role in shaping society's perceptions and understanding of IPV. This study focuses on the representation of femicide in Turkish newspapers, with a specific focus on the context of Turkey as an honor culture characterized by a distinct emphasis on female sexual purity and male dominance. Honor cultures often justify violence against women in the name of preserving honor. This research aims to investigate how newspapers depict honor-based IPV through quantitative analysis, content analysis, discourse analysis, and frame analysis of femicide cases. The findings reveal that newspapers frame IPV within an honor culture by victim-blaming and justifying men's violent behavior. Additionally, news coverage often portrays honor-based IPV as isolated incidents, failing to recognize its reflection of the broader honor culture. These portrayals inadvertently perpetuate and legitimize IPV, discouraging women from seeking assistance and support.