Medias bild av socialtjänsten

Sammanfattning

The purpose of this study was to examine the discourses that can be identified in medias representation of social services. To answer the purpose we made a critical discourse analysis using Faircloughs three-dimensional model. The choice to focus our study on a local newspaper was based on earlier research that found it possible that a local paper has a greater impact on readers than a national newspaper. Readers can more easily connect with what's happening in the immediate environment than what is written nationally. We used articles published in 2013 containing ”social services”. We found four discourses about collaboration, economy, criticism and work practices and procedures. We found social services mentioned in contexts involving money, resources, complaints, cooperation, collaboration, support, routines and responsibilities. The social services was briefly depicted, descriptions of their work was often omitted. The descriptions we found was often negative and contained assumptions that were not explained.