Foreigners and crime in the Maltese press : a content analysis

Abstract

Since the majority of the population acquire their information regarding foreigners from the mass media, this study's objective is to examine how the Maltese press delivers this information through their crime reports. The study also intends to discover whether the portrayal of foreigners in this aspect tends to be either exaggerated or unbiased. The goal is to determine whether news reports strengthen the already existing stereotypes related to specific nationalities which further increase public fear. Content analysis of the major Maltese newspapers issued in one particular year was conducted. The headlines and articles featuring crime reports about foreigners were scrutinized and the data collected was further analysed. through a detailed interpretation of the content so as to get to the heart of the issue under study.