Unraveling the Dimensions of Child Sexual Abuse Portrayal by Web Based Media Channels: Pakistani News Framers’ Perspective

Abstract

This empirical work is based on the partial phased findings of a colossal PhD work done with core objective of highlighting the role of TV web channels in representation of dilemma-oriented aspects, pertaining child sexual abuse reporting and such news’ psychosocial impact on media consumers. The research strategy was mainly exploratory and was based on qualitative research design. This was targeted that major stakeholders in child sexual abuse news, need to be consulted in order to shed light on the menace of child sexual abuse’s media reporting as this is being catastrophized due to misrepresentation of over-exaggerated aspects of abuse. Those professional reporters, news framers and news producers (15 from each category) who reported that they have been reporting on such matters in past five years or more were targeted as potential participants’ of current research. Interview protocol guide was employed in this regard. The findings revealed that sexual abuse news content stakeholders reported that they had limited skills, technical insight, personal emotional issues, emotional exhaustion and burnout, limited insight regarding experts in dealing sensitive matters and diffusion of responsibilities due to which such news content was handled by them inapt ways. They also reported as having individual, familial, contextual and cultural factors that caused them hurdles. The emerging themes revealed that relevant education paucity not only stand out as foundational deficit rather also makes us turn into debilitated state of dismay. Furthermore, lack of relevant training in framing of such sensational news, fear of consequences and professional burn out are emerged as other main themes.