A CRITICAL STUDY OF LANGUAGE IN PAKISTANI ENGLISH NEWSPAPER CRIME REPORTING
Keywords:
Crime Narratives, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), Language of Journalism, Linguistic Framing, Media Discourse Analysis, News Headlines Language, Pakistani English Newspaper, Sensationalism in Media, Victim and Offender RepresentationAbstract
Pakistani English newspapers employ sensationalized language in crime reporting that reflects broader societal inequalities related to gender, class, and ethnicity. Prominent publications such as Dawn and The Express Tribune are particularly noted for their crime coverage. News reports not only convey events but also carry significant social implications, shaping public attitudes and perceptions. The language used in English-language Pakistani newspapers frequently mirrors class divisions, distinguishing between lower and upper socioeconomic groups. Authorities and journalists alike are expected to adhere to clear ethical guidelines and unbiased standards to ensure that reporting does not reinforce harmful stereotypes or alienate readers. This study demonstrates that Pakistani journalists often fail to maintain neutral language in crime reporting, instead favouring elite social groups, thereby perpetuating systemic inequalities. Journalism, in its truest sense, serves not merely as a conduit for information but as a complete reflection of the society it operates within.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Akbar, Eman Khalid, Laiqa Wafa, Muqadas Jamil, Ayesha Naeem, Mubashra Javed (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
