REPORTING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN TABLOID PRESS IN KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF THE NAIROBIAN NEWSPAPER

ABSTRACT
The broad objective of this study was to examine how tabloid media in Kenya report sexual violence. It explored the nature of agenda setting, framing and priming of sexual violence in The Nairobian newspaper. The specific objectives were to: explore the nature of agenda setting, framing and priming of sexual violence issues in The Nairobian newspaper; explore journalistic ethics used by the newspaper when reporting on sexual violence. The study employed agenda setting and media cultivation theories. The study employed a mixed research approach. Newspaper articles that covered on sexual violence published between January 2016 and December 2017 in The Nairobian were analysed using content analysis based on key themes generated from the study objectives. Interviews with five editors, two correspondents and one key informant were conducted. Data collected was categorised based on dominant frames, tone, frequency of stories, size of stories as well as representation in terms of gender. The study findings show that while The Nairobian newspaper highlighted sexual violence stories, they were generally not given prominence, with most stories confined to the inside of the newspaper. The study found that The Nairobian newspaper gave more prominence to stories where mostly women were portrayed as victims. Findings reveal that proper and sound journalistic practices were employed in the writing and packaging of the stories. A fairly strong agenda setting and framing of sexual violence stories by The Nairobian newspaper was noted in this study. This shows the role tabloids could play in agenda setting, creating awareness and fighting sexual violence by publishing more lead stories, editorials and opinion pieces on this subject to elicit debate and stimulate discussions on sexual violence. This study recommends that more prominence to be given to sexual violence stories. This will create awareness, embolden victims and stimulate discussion.