(University of the Free State, 2011) De Wet, Corene
English: Using data gathered from the South African newspaper coverage, this article
examines the space and time frames through which the media cultivated a particular
view of the Krugersdorp samurai sword killing. The article also reports on findings
from a qualitative content analysis on newspapers’ portrayal of the three dominant
space frames, namely the individual, the organisational (teaching and learning
milieu) and the societal frames. A total of 62 news stories and editorials were
analysed. The study found that the event was mostly framed at the individual
level and the present time frame. Findings from the content analysis highlighted
newspapers’ conflicting portrayal of Morné Harmse, his parents and the school
where the killing took place.