“Det är du som säger att jag är utanför” - Framställningar av hemlöshet i ETC och Svenska Dagbladet

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to explain how homelessness is depicted in two of Sweden's national newspapers, ETC and Svenska Dagbladet, during Sweden's first period of Covid-19 restrictions, March 11th 2020 to September 29th 2021. The two newspapers were chosen due to the difference between their ideological values, hence another aim became analysing how the depictions differed in these newspapers. The study was done using qualitative content analysis of 88 articles. To analyse our collected data, we applied the theories of social constructionism and stigma. The results found that in both newspapers, homelessness and people who experience homelessness were portrayed as “others” from the rest of society. There was also a slight difference of opinion between the newspapers in who is to blame for the homelessness issue and whose responsibility it is to handle it. The study also found that both newspapers applied negative features to the homeless stereotype, and that certain groups of people were considered more or less worthy of homelessness. As a result of this study, a new theme not mentioned in previous research about trust in the Swedish welfare society, was identified in both newspapers. Articles described instances of mistreatment and dehumanisation, which have had an impact on the attitudes of the affected individuals. Both newspapers discussed the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on homeless people, but focused on different areas. The most evident difference between the contents of the mentioned newspapers was how ETC tried to take a stand for the homeless more actively by demanding structural change and proposing political reforms. Svenska Dagbladet, however, had a more descriptive approach, with a perceived ambition to present its readers with the homelessness phenomenon just as it is. Therefore, the outcome of this study revealed that even though ETC attempted to side with the homeless, the implications were the same from both newspapers: a separation between homeless people and the rest of Swedish society.