As we finish out the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, OAITH is releasing our Annual Media Analysis of the 2024-2025 Femicide Cases covered by local, national and TV sources. Beginning in 2016, hundreds of media articles and videos have been reviewed against the framing analysis developed to examine media content about femicide. The results using an interactive heat map highlight how the media are using positive and negative framing when reporting on femicides: https://bit.ly/OAITHMediaAnalysis20242025 The way femicides are framed in the media can serve as a mechanism to build awareness about gender-based violence and those reporting on these issues are uniquely positioned to work alongside us. These results tell a story, yet in very few cases do media ever provide any information about the services and supports that are available. Let’s change that in 2026 because it could save a life. Safety Starts Here
Within the 2024-2025 Media Analysis, 114 cases were examined across 43 femicide cases
- 23% of cases were coded as labelling the case a femicide including naming the killing as intimate-partner violence related.
16 articles explicitly used the term femicide within their reporting this year, a notable increase compared to previous years.
- Despite positive shifts in naming femicide cases, few media reports (4%) included any information related to VAW/GBV help or local services.
The media can be a useful tool for increasing awareness and connection to local GBV services and the lack of included help info continues to be a gap in media reporting on femicide cases.
- Only 1% of cases (1) was coded as framing their article, or including language that may directly or indirectly blame the victim.
While this was a slight increase from last year’s media analysis it continues to be an improvement compared to the last five years.
- Although infrequently reported (87%), 15 cases did include information pertaining to previous criminal or violent histories.
A history of violence against the victim, or other women, is a key risk factor for further, at times lethal violence. The inclusion of this information within media reports not only supports data collection but can also serve as a powerful tool for awareness and public education.