The manosphere under the microscope: a critical discourse analysis of the news media reporting of Rowan Baxter’s murder of Hannah Clarke and her family

Abstract

ABSTRACT This qualitative research addresses the question: how do antifeminist narratives emerge from Australian news media reporting of violence against women? Scholarship in this area is limited; however, emerging research reveals that antifeminist online communities are increasing and are becoming more volatile. Most concerning is their use of false and misleading news media reporting on violence against women to legitimise their ideology and promote recruitment. In this article, I will be informed by a Faircloughian critical discourse analysis framework underpinned by Lazar’s conceptualisation of feminist critical discourse analysis praxis methodology. One hundred and eight Australian traditional news media articles concerning Rowan Baxter’s murder of Hannah Clark and their three children Aaliyah, Laianah, and Trey, published between February 19 2020 and July 25 2020 are examined. A linear narrative arc unfolds within the media, beginning at initial reporting, to the story entering the social discourse. Two key antifeminist narrative themes emerged amongst the chaotic assemblage of discourses; incident and perpetrator as aberrant, and men as victims. Findings from this research contribute to the emerging research area of antifeminist discourses in online communities.