How do they do that? Wonders mischievous Prince Ja...
How do they do that? Wonders mischievous Prince Jahamnyama, The Times of Swaziland
Date: January 1, 1970
SHARE:
The President of the national court sentences two women from shoplifting and comments on women?s ability to hide stolen goods on their bodies.
The President of the national court sentences two women from shoplifting and comments on women?s ability to hide stolen goods on their bodies.
This article may be used to:
- Provide learning tips on the portrayal of women in the news.
Trainer’s notes
Portrayal of Women
This story portrays women as criminals who use their bodies to hide the stolen goods. There is not only a negative portrayal of women, but a subtle sexual overtone in the language and phrasing used by the
This allusion to sex also is commented on in the headline where the judge inappropriately is described as ‘mischievous’. This is obvious comment projected into the story by the writer of the headline. But, the headline does not tell the reader what the story is about and is meaningless. It has been written to capture the reader’s attention, but not to inform. In the context of
The story is told only through the voice and perspective of the national court president who is described as ‘very concerned’ and ‘disgusted’ by the women’s actions. He also is quoted as saying he is ‘disappointed’ at the women’s deeds. He conclusively passes judgment on the women’s moral character when he says that the women do not steal out of need, but because of greed. They are not depicted as victims or survivors; instead, they are alluded to as a ‘menace to society’ or bad characters.
The national court president therefore is portrayed as the moral authority in the story, although he trivializes and sensationalises shoplifting by the way he describes the women’s actions. Although crime is used as a criteria for news, this story also uses the criteria of ‘deviant behaviour’.
If this story had involved men, it would be interesting to note whether the language used would have been less suggested in terms of the subtle sexual nuances implied in the court president’s language.
No attempt is made in the story to investigate other reasons why women may resort to crime, other than to categorically state that this is their character. The women themselves do not speak in the story and they are written about as passive objects. This is a blatantly sexist story about women told through the voice and perspective of only one male.
Training exercise
Exercise one: Read the case study and discuss the following:
- Why did this story make news? What news criteria was used?
- Is this a newsworthy story? Why or why not?
- What message is conveyed in the story about women?
- How does the story focus on women’s physical attributes?
- What gender biases are inherent in this story?
- What message does the headline convey?
- What gender issues are not raised in this story?
Download : How do they do that
Connect with us
Comment on How do they do that? Wonders mischievous Prince Jahamnyama, The Times of Swaziland