"Tidigare Vänner Kan Skjuta Över En Träta" : En historisk diskursanalys om hur Aftonbladet och Dagens Nyheter framställer gängkriminalitet i Södertälje

Sammanfattning:   The deadly gun violence in Sweden has increased significantly since 2013 and is linked to organized crime. Södertälje is a city south of Stockholm that has been particularly affected by the deadly shootings and gang violence. This type of crimes brings a lot of media attention partly because of society’s safety but also because of people’s lack of experience in the field, which gives media the number one position to bring information. Further, this gives media the power to portray the gang crimes and the criminals in the way that pleases the population, which may tend to uphold discriminating stereotypes.   The purpose of the study is to analyze how Aftonbladet and Dagens Nyheter portray criminal networks in Södertälje. In addition, power relationships and discrimination have been clarified. The material consists of eight articles from Aftonbladet and eight from Dagens Nyheter. The method used is a historical discourse analysis that focuses on identifying power relationships. Analytical tools include analysis questions and two discourse strategies: designations and characterizations. The theoretical framework is postcolonialism, representation, the other and stereotypes.    The study results in three discursive themes, which are called: the impact of gang crime on Swedish society, efforts to counter gang crime and reasons for the development of gang crime. The results of the analysis suggest that gang criminals are depicted negatively. The personal attributes identified include murderous, vengeful, boundless and motivated. A unique result was that gang criminals are depicted as young. Furthermore, power structures can be partially confirmed by portraying gang criminals as inferior to the rest of the society. In addition, the study results in portrayal of individuals as foreign, which can maintain a structure of white as superior to black.