Rwanda, media monitoring and husband-murdering women

Posted: 7 February 2007 | News - Newsletter | Categories: Gender, Media Freedom and Performance

Crime is always a prominent issue in the news. It is particularly prominent currently. So, MMP undertook to look at different crime stories and see if human rights were upheld. Firstly, we looked at trends in covering stories where women murder their husbands and then examined a story on alleged police brutality of a sex worker.

‘Surge’ in money-grabbing women killing their husbands?

Based on recent reports on intimate homicides, you would be forgiven for thinking that a form of homicide for money was on the increase. This particular form of homicide is women killing their husbands. But is this really the case? Luzuko Pongoma discusses a selection of these reports and looks in the reports for conflicting information indicating that women murdering for money is actually not common.

Media Monitoring in Rwanda

In December, two of MMP staff travelled to Rwanda to share media monitoring experiences with a group of monitors who fall under the High Council of the Press (HCP) there. Their experiences of monitoring every year on the anniversary of the genocide are both interesting and emotive.

Easy monitoring locally and regionally

The Media Monitoring Project and other organisations in South Africa and other Southern African countries are using the Montoring Made Easy - Gender software to monitor and access the performance of media over the 16 days for last year. You too can do a gender media monitoring project using this software as well as the guides on how to set-up and run such a project.

Email the MME Coordinator to get your free copy.

Risky business - how media can kill

Take one vulnerable woman who has made serious allegations against powerful people, splash her face and details in a popular newspaper. Stirring will occur automatically, apply heat and wait for results.

This is the the result of a recent newspaper article, even if the intention is to highlight the dangers of sex work.

Coming soon: Crime coverage around the Rattray murder

Crime coverage has peeked recently, particularly around the murder of Rattray. MMP is busy exploring the increase in crime coverage this year. Expect an update soon.

In the meantime, have a look at our previous update on crime and human rights.