Female genital cutting in the news media

A content analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID12898541
AuthorsMeghan Sobel Cohen (0000-0003-4199-3072, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume77
Issue4
Pages384-405
Publication date2015-01-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Communication Gazette (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1748-0485 • E-ISSN: 1748-0493
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1748048514564030
OpenAlexW2092755462
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited67

Mass media play an important role in explaining the issue of female genital cutting and can influence discourse among the general public as well as policy makers. Understanding how news media present female genital cutting has strong implications for the global status of women. This study, a quantitative content analysis, analyzed how 15 years of newspaper coverage surrounding the launch of the Millennium Development Goals framed female genital cutting in four countries with varying prevalence levels of female genital cutting: the United States, Ghana, The Gambia, and Kenya. The study found female genital cutting is consistently portrayed as a problematic and thematic topic, largely tied to cultural rituals. However, coverage is minimal and inconsistent over time, and does not appear to be impacted by the increase in international initiatives aimed at combatting the practice

Advertising · Biology · Business · Content analysis · Female circumcision · Gynecology · Mass media · Media coverage · Media studies · Newspaper · Political science · Qualitative research · Sex organ · Social science · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues · International Human Rights and Reproductive Law · Legal and cultural studies analysis · Medicine

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