Frame diversity in Pakistani crime reality shows: a content analysis

Abstract

Crime reality shows have been a common source of infotainment since the past few years. Sar-e-Aam and Khufia Operation were the most watched shows in the prime-time. This study has identified different frames applied by these crime reality shows to influence the audience. Types of crimes have been highlighted in this study that also reflect the problems in Pakistani context. Framing theory has been studied under the umbrella of content analysis of top rated shows. The content analysis established that corruption was a major crime highlighted by these crime shows and the dominant form of presentation was episodic in nature. Public shaming was the most important frame strongly used by these crime shows. Human interest frame was used to include the point of view of victims affected by crimes and offenders that committed them. Individualistic causal responsibility was identified to be framed and the solutions lied in punitive treatment responsibility. Animalistic, mechanistic and disease related metaphors were used to describe the traits of the offenders in context of dehumanization. Tertiary victimization was focused in the shows and was oriented towards the society being the victimized by crimes like corruption. Identity of victims and offenders was framed by giving their personal information.