Perception of online newspapers on the coverage of domestic violence in Malaysia / Salmi Razali … [et al.]

Domestic violence is a major public issue in Malaysia. Local empirical studies and official records provide limited information about number of cases, methods, risks and preventive measures of domestic violence, further; little is known of how media describes this violent act in this country. This study aimed to investigate the perception of media and what we can learn from local online newspapers coverage of domestic violence in Malaysia. Data were gathered from the online archives (June 2003 until July 2017) of 8 local online newspapers. Thematic and content analysis were carried out. A total of 124 articles and 47 photos that met the selection criteria were retrieved and analysed. The searched articles described information informed from predominantly secondary sources of information with minimal accounts of the survivors of domestic violence. The predominant themes highlighted in the newspaper articles were i) number of violence; ii) types of abuse; iii) possible factors contributing to domestic violence; v) reasons for staying; and vi) legal matters related to domestic violence. Media has provided beneficial information on domestic violence, but often brief and lacked details about the issues presented. Further enhancement needed including providing more information oneconomic and social abuses, discussion on domestic violence against elder and incapacitated people and detail descriptions of procedures for accessing services and help-seeking methods. Stories of domestic violence should be presented in a more comprehensive manner to enhance awareness of the public, increase support system, improve policy and ultimately end this violent behaviour.