“We can do better. We can be better”: counter-narratives in true crime podcasts on domestic violence

ABSTRACT

Through three qualitative interviews with journalists who have produced and hosted true crime podcasts about domestic violence cases, this study examines the reciprocal interactions hosts can have with domestic violence survivors in their audiences. Also of significance is how these journalist-podcasters are working with their audience members to present counter-narratives that challenge the traditional media practice of silencing survivors, victims, and their loved ones. Building upon the interviews, a textual analysis of 43 episodes demonstrates how journalist-podcasters foreground stories of victims and advocacy for societal change to offer audiences a counter-narrative. In doing so, they generate awareness while simultaneously empowering victims to seek assistance and shed the stigma of shame that is prevalent in our society. These findings demonstrate the power of a reciprocal relationship between media producers and their audiences, specifically related to crime media coverage. This study demonstrates how true crime podcasters leverage audio storytelling to educate listeners and encourage systemic and societal change for survivors of domestic violence.

KEYWORDS:

• True crime
• advocacy
• counter-narratives
• podcasts
• domestic violence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 In this study, the term “victim” is used to identify someone who was killed or presumed killed during a domestic violence incident, and “survivor” is used to identify someone who experienced a domestic violence incident and lived. Other terms such as “victims’ families” and “victim-blaming” refer to both victims and/or survivors interchangeably.

2 In this study, I use the term “host” and “producer” interchangeably. While those jobs have distinct duties, the podcasters I spoke to were hosts that crossed the producer line and had regular, significant input into production decisions. I also use the term “producer” as “someone who produces/makes a product,” not in specific reference to the job title.

 

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kelli S. Boling

Kelli S. Boling (Ph.D., University of South Carolina) is an Assistant Professor in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research focuses on audience reception and representation in the media, especially genre-specific media and traditionally marginalized audiences based on gender or race.