A PORTRAIT AGAINST A LANDSCAPE: Analysis of media coverage of firearm misuse in violence against women committed by men

Violence against women is the most globally widespread, and ostensibly the most persistent problem in human history, the consequences of which women and girls around the world suffer on a daily basis. Social normalization of such violence impacts not only its identification and early responses to it, but also influences the willingness of individuals in such a society to report such violence, as well as their ability to recognize the risk factors that may result in the worst outcomes, including femicide. According to data of the Women against Violence Network, in Serbia, from 2010 to 2019, at least 307 women were murdered by their husbands or intimate partners. In this context, the media in Serbia plays a powerful role. In functioning as the go-to source of information for monitoring the prevalence of gender-based violence and its characteristics, the media actively participates in shaping the public attitude toward this phenomenon. In this context, the Analysis of media coverage of firearm misuse in violence against women committed by men is meant to serve as a baseline for the future work of Journalists against Violence against Women on this issue. The aim is to develop specific, applicable activities and engage the media in raising awareness and reducing firearm misuse in violence against women, domestic violence and other forms of gender-based violence.