The research was premised on the notion that gender is a social construct that is inextricably linked with masculinity and violence. This view of gender was used in an attempt to understand how masculinity and violence are constructed in the tabloid newspaper, the Daily Sun. The research used a discourse analysis, specifically looking at the various subject positions that are afforded to both men and women in this publication and how such positions foreclose other ways of thinking about and understanding gendered violence. The data set consisted of 23 information rich articles that were selected through the use of a purposeful sampling strategy. Results suggest while the Daily Sun positions itself as a medium that aims to ‘educate’ men (particularly working class men) against committing gendered violence, the Daily Sun may serve to reinforce the system of patriarchy that it claims to want to dismantle. In particular, the report highlights the problematic nature and implications of providing individual psychological explanations for gendered violence without acknowledging the contextual issues that are at play.

Thesis (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Crime reporting creates a set of unique challenges within journalism in general. Generally inexperienced journalists are assigned to the crime beat in South African newsrooms. A lack of knowledge and absence of codes of ethical conduct create a reality wherein crime reporting more than often causes more harm than good. Within the existing media ethical debate, ethical reflections about responsible crime reporting will go a long way to stimulate thought on responsible crime reporting and help to formulate guidelines for ethical crime reporting in the future. In this project the debate on responsible crime reporting starts by illuminating where crime-reporting slots into the traditional philosophical ethical debate before a distinction is made between law and ethics. The way laws influence ethical crime reporting - if at all - is analysed. The crime reporter's relationship towards his employer, his community, the state and victims of crime creates a complex maze of responsibilities. After analysing these complex relationships, existing codes of conduct and the unique challenges within the South African context are evaluated. A set of case studies creates the opportunity to list factors needed to be taken into account, before proposing guidelines that will create a positive atmosphere for pro / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Midsdaadverslaggewing stel unieke uitdagings aan verslaggewers. Onervare joernaliste word in Suid-Afrikaanse nuuskantore met die misdaad-rondte opgesaal. Uit onkunde en weens 'n algemene gebrek aan etiese riglyne word misdaadverslaggewing dikwels op só 'n manier bedryf dat dit eerder skade as goed berokken. Binne die breër media-etiese debat kan 'n etiese besinning oor misdaadverslaggewing 'n bydrae lewer tot nadenke oor verantwoordelike misdaadverslaggewing, sowel as tot die ontwikkeling van riglyne wat verantwoordelike misdaadverslaggewing vir die toekoms kan kweek. Die debat oor verantwoordelike misdaadverslaggewing begin in dié werkstuk deur misdaadverslaggewing te beskou binne die tradisionele filosofiese debat oor etiek. Daarna word gekyk na die verband tussen wette en etiek en watter- indien enigeinvloed wette op verantwoordelike misdaadverslaggewing het. Die misdaadverslaggewer se verhouding tot sy werkgewer, sy gemeenskap, die staat en slagoffers van misdaad plaas hom in 'n komplekse posisie wat betref sy verantwoordelikhede. Nadat hierdie verantwoordelikheidsvelde uitgespel is, word gekyk na bestaande riglyne en die unieke komplikasies in Suid-Afrika op soek na riglyne vir verantwoordelike misdaadverslaggewing. Nadat enkele gevallestudies ontleed is, word voorstelle gedoen oor die faktore wat in ag geneem behoort te word ten opsigte van verantwoordelike misdaadverslaggewing. Dit bring die werkstuk tot uiteindelike voorstelle oor hoe 'n gunstige milieu in Suid- Afrikaanse nuuskantore geskep kan word vir die kweek van verantwoordelike misdaadverslaggewing.