Self-other representation of sex workers in Malaysia / Natrah Noor

Natrah, Noor (2015) Self-other representation of sex workers in Malaysia / Natrah Noor. Masters thesis, University of Malaya.

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Abstract

Adopting Wodak’s Discourse Historical Approach (Wodak et al., 1999; Wodak, 2001; and Reisigl and Wodak, 2009) as the research framework, this research investigates strategies used in the media representation of people who work in the sex sector alongside the strategies these workers' themselves use in their self-representation. It also looks at the argumentative strategies that both parties use to validate or justify their representations. The research data analysis derives from two primary sources; The Star Online and data from a focus group interview with people in the sector. 20 news articles from The Star Online; reporting events and stories involving sex workers working in Malaysia; dated from January 2012 to December 2012 and 3 female and 2 transgendered male to female sex workers were selected and interviewed for the purpose of the research analysis. Findings show that sex workers were represented as either lawbreakers or victims by the media. On the other hand, sex workers (based on interviews), represent themselves more complex ways than in the binary constructed by the media. They construct themselves as victims, heroes, breadwinners to the family, independent individuals and also as criminals. The details of the research findings are discussed more thoroughly in the research dissertation.

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