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Rape in the news : On rape genres in Swedish news coverage

Nilsson, Gabriella LU orcid (2019) In Feminist Media Studies 19(8). p.1178-1194
Abstract
This article deals with narratives of rape in Swedish newspapers between 1990 and 2015. Though perpetuating myths and stereotypes about rape, rapists and rape victims, the main argument is that the narratives of rape in the news are diverse. This diversity is analysed in terms of different genres—narratives of “the lonely pervert”; “the sex slavery rape”; “the celebrity rape”; and “the suburb rape.” Genre will be used as a cultural analytical means to elaborate on the meanings of news reports of rape and the societal functions and effects of these meanings. It is exemplified how some genres form debates that push changes in national legislation or encourage proactive engagement in city planning on the local level, whereas others are... (More)
This article deals with narratives of rape in Swedish newspapers between 1990 and 2015. Though perpetuating myths and stereotypes about rape, rapists and rape victims, the main argument is that the narratives of rape in the news are diverse. This diversity is analysed in terms of different genres—narratives of “the lonely pervert”; “the sex slavery rape”; “the celebrity rape”; and “the suburb rape.” Genre will be used as a cultural analytical means to elaborate on the meanings of news reports of rape and the societal functions and effects of these meanings. It is exemplified how some genres form debates that push changes in national legislation or encourage proactive engagement in city planning on the local level, whereas others are characterised by questioning or justification. In the case of the celebrity rape, the sex slavery rape and the lonely pervert rape these genres produce narratives that hide patriarchal structures by “monstering” the perpetrator or by questioning the very existence of the specific rape. In the case of the suburb rapes the patriarchal structure is hidden behind a discussion of other structural problems. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
ABSTRACT


Introduction


Methods


The lonely pervert rape


The sex slavery rape


The celebrity rape


The suburb rape


Conclusion


References




























 Full Article
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References
 Citations

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ABSTRACT




This article deals with narratives of rape in Swedish newspapers between 1990 and 2015. Though perpetuating myths and stereotypes about rape,... (More)
ABSTRACT


Introduction


Methods


The lonely pervert rape


The sex slavery rape


The celebrity rape


The suburb rape


Conclusion


References




























 Full Article
 Figures & data
References
 Citations

Metrics
Licensing
 PDF








ABSTRACT




This article deals with narratives of rape in Swedish newspapers between 1990 and 2015. Though perpetuating myths and stereotypes about rape, rapists and rape victims, the main argument is that the narratives of rape in the news are diverse. This diversity is analysed in terms of different genres—narratives of “the lonely pervert”; “the sex slavery rape”; “the celebrity rape”; and “the suburb rape.” Genre will be used as a cultural analytical means to elaborate on the meanings of news reports of rape and the societal functions and effects of these meanings. It is exemplified how some genres form debates that push changes in national legislation or encourage proactive engagement in city planning on the local level, whereas others are characterised by questioning or justification. In the case of the celebrity rape, the sex slavery rape and the lonely pervert rape these genres produce narratives that hide patriarchal structures by “monstering” the perpetrator or by questioning the very existence of the specific rape. In the case of the suburb rapes the patriarchal structure is hidden behind a discussion of other structural problems. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
alternative title
Våldtäkt i tidningen : Om våldtäktsgenrer i svenska nyhetsartiklar
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Rape, genre, news reports, Sweden, culture analysis
in
Feminist Media Studies
volume
19
issue
8
pages
17 pages
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85053261076
ISSN
1468-0777
DOI
10.1080/14680777.2018.1513412
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
c1f3ab3f-197e-47e0-9385-7b268c4c337e
date added to LUP
2018-09-21 20:02:57
date last changed
2022-04-25 08:55:54
@article{c1f3ab3f-197e-47e0-9385-7b268c4c337e,
  abstract     = {{This article deals with narratives of rape in Swedish newspapers between 1990 and 2015. Though perpetuating myths and stereotypes about rape, rapists and rape victims, the main argument is that the narratives of rape in the news are diverse. This diversity is analysed in terms of different genres—narratives of “the lonely pervert”; “the sex slavery rape”; “the celebrity rape”; and “the suburb rape.” Genre will be used as a cultural analytical means to elaborate on the meanings of news reports of rape and the societal functions and effects of these meanings. It is exemplified how some genres form debates that push changes in national legislation or encourage proactive engagement in city planning on the local level, whereas others are characterised by questioning or justification. In the case of the celebrity rape, the sex slavery rape and the lonely pervert rape these genres produce narratives that hide patriarchal structures by “monstering” the perpetrator or by questioning the very existence of the specific rape. In the case of the suburb rapes the patriarchal structure is hidden behind a discussion of other structural problems.}},
  author       = {{Nilsson, Gabriella}},
  issn         = {{1468-0777}},
  keywords     = {{Rape, genre, news reports, Sweden, culture analysis}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{8}},
  pages        = {{1178--1194}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Feminist Media Studies}},
  title        = {{Rape in the news : On rape genres in Swedish news coverage}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2018.1513412}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/14680777.2018.1513412}},
  volume       = {{19}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}