Exploring the Newspaper Representation on Victim-Blaming in Bangladesh: A Recent Case Study

Abstract

The study investigates the depiction of victim-blaming culture in Bangladeshi newspapers in the context of a specific suicidal case, employing content analysis to explore the representation of the particular incident on a grander scale than previously thought. Using the “Social Representation Theory,” this research focuses on the representation of the victim in Bangladeshi newspapers and attempts to establish the blaming culture prevalent in the country through a specific instance. This mixed-methods study analyzes 27 selected news items regarding the particular case. Data is gathered from five major newspapers (The Daily Star, Prothom Alo, KalerKantho, Samakal, and DeshRupantor) and evaluated using a range of statistical methods. This study describes the victim’s linguistic representation in society through textual analysis of four major elements. It is discovered in this paper that the involvement of a well-known figure was the most concerning issue, but that the print media, specifically newspapers, attempted to conceal that involvement by focusing on other factors such as the victim’s lifestyle, occupation, and identity, all of which were found to be of great concern by selective newspapers, resulting in negative public opinion toward the victim. According to the authors, even if they are subjected to ownership pressures or pressures from other perpetrators, the national dailies of Bangladesh should portray the actual situation as accurately as possible.

Keywords

• explore
• newspaper representation
• victim-blaming
• bangladesh