News Coverage on Feminist Issues in Thailand's Southern Unrest

This study aims to examine the subjects of news coverage on feminist in the southern unrest situation, and to investigate those unreported in mainstream newspapers. Content analysis is used to study 1,095 news stories on the conflict, reported during two one-year periods of 2004 to 2005 and 2009 to 2010 in two national newspapers: Matichon, an elite paper and Thairath, a popular and sensation-oriented daily one. The findings reveal that the number of news coverage on feminist issues is limited. Out of 1,095 news items, only 62 (5.66%) portrayed and concerned local women in the area: 41 in Thairath and 21 in Matichon. In those related news items, the most found topic is the effect of the unrest on individuals, followed by the government policy and approaches to resolve South Thailand insurgency. Females reported in the news are found more often in passive roles than in active ones. The predominant appearances in news reporting were general public and unrest victims (79.04%). Only 8.06% of victims who received compensation from government appeared in the news, and there was only one story on healing issue. Uncovered topics are, for instance, education, economics, occupation, and local people's daily life.