Reporting homicide in the Maltese media from the 1960s till the 2000s

Abstract

The aim of this study is to trace the development of the reporting of homicide cases in the Maltese media over a period of time. The cases which were chosen are the following: Twanny Aquilina in 1960, Joseph Spiteri in 1972, Lino Cauchi in 1985, Therese Agius in 1999, and Rachel Bowdler in 2001. This was done in order to demonstrate the gradual transition of the media since the 1960s, to the 2000s, by focusing on the reporting element and not the complexity of the crime itself. Through the qualitative research carried out, the findings indicate that the cases of Twanny Aquilina and of Lino Cauchi attracted the most media coverage as these were considered to be the most shocking incidents due to the nature of the case. This media coverage has led to an increase in fear of crime and public desensitization in this small island. The media has progressed from a time in which the reporters name was not published, and ethical issues were not observed, to a time of online reporting by various journalists and a greater emphasis on the ethical reporting of the cases.