The research explores how visual and verbal elements in news reporting frame the representation of alleged perpetrators. Framing, a key multimodal principle, involves making certain elements of discourse more salient than others, influencing meaning and interpretation. Entman (1993) identifies selection, highlighting, and argument construction as framing functions. The way a social actor is presented (e.g., a mother committing euthanasia as a killer or savior) interacts with readers' pre-existing beliefs. Media framing of social actors is influenced by reporting conventions and standards, as exemplified by The Daily Telegraph's adherence to the Independent Press Standards. While numerous studies address media portrayals of social actors, Machin and Mayr (2013) highlight the impossibility of neutral representation. Van Leeuwen's (1996, 2008b) work on linguistic representation of social actors provides a framework for analysis, focusing on inclusion/exclusion and personalization/impersonalization. The study integrates this linguistic framework with a visual analysis of social distance, social relation (camera angle), and social interaction (gaze direction) to examine how personalization in images shapes the perception of perpetrators. The research utilizes Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) to analyze the interplay between verbal and visual messages, considering power imbalances and ideology. It also investigates how the representation of alleged perpetrators shifts along a 'safety' ↔ 'danger' axis.

The study builds upon existing research in framing theory, critical discourse analysis (CDA), and social semiotics. Framing theory, as described by Entman (1993), provides a framework for understanding how media highlight specific aspects of an event to shape its interpretation. CDA, particularly van Leeuwen's work (1996, 2008b), informs the analysis of how language constructs social identities and positions. Social semiotics, and especially Kress and van Leeuwen's (2001, 2006) contributions, provides the theoretical grounding for analyzing the visual aspects of the media representations. The study utilizes Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) which combines CDA with social semiotic analysis of visual data to understand the interplay between verbal and visual messages. Existing literature on the representation of social actors in media, including studies on violence and the portrayal of perpetrators, provides context and comparison points. Key scholars mentioned are Kress and van Leeuwen, Entman, van Leeuwen, Machin and Mayr. The concept of ingroup and outgroup inclusion and exclusion is also discussed in the context of social group preferences and biases.

The study analyzes images of alleged perpetrators from The Telegraph's online news archive (January 2010), focusing on articles related to various forms of violence as defined by the World Health Organization. The corpus consists of articles accompanied by photographs portraying alleged perpetrators, as indicated by linguistic cues (captions, news stories). The images include photographs and courtroom sketches. The analysis utilizes three dimensions: gaze direction ('offer' and 'demand' images), social distance (shot range), and social relation (camera angle). The total number of images analyzed is 95; in articles with multiple images, only the first one visible below the headline was selected. Data collection occurred between June 2019 and February 2020. The study employs a three-step frame analysis (D'Angelo, 2017): identifying linguistic labels and visual presentation features, examining discourse patterns and image attributes, and performing content analysis of narrative conventions. The methodological approach draws on Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) and social semiotics, integrating analysis of visual and verbal elements to understand the construction of meaning and the ideological influences on the representation of perpetrators.

The analysis of 95 images reveals a pattern in the visual representation of alleged perpetrators. Images are categorized as 'demand' (42 images) or 'offer' (53 images) based on the perpetrator's gaze direction. Demand images, where the perpetrator looks directly at the viewer, often feature close-ups (34 images), enhancing the sense of immediacy and threat. Close-ups show facial details, creating a sense of intimacy and danger. Many demand images lack or have blurred backgrounds, focusing attention on the perpetrator's face. Linguistically, demand images often use direct nominations and action verbs in headlines, standfirsts, and captions. Functionalization, where the social actor is described by roles (murderer, rapist), enhances the visual impact. Demand images often portray individuals accused of serious crimes like murder or rape. 'Social relation' in demand images is often established at eye-level, increasing viewer engagement and potentially fostering negative perceptions. Offer images, where the perpetrator looks away, typically feature longer-range shots, creating distance and allowing for greater viewer interpretation. The background is often more prominent, providing context and potentially shaping emotional response. In some offer images, law enforcement agents or victims are also shown in the frame. Long-range shots are often reserved for groups of perpetrators, often from outside Britain, signifying a greater distance and potential threat. Camera angle plays a role in social relation and the perception of power. Lower angles can exaggerate the perceived threat, especially when used with distant shots of groups. The study also finds a correlation between the frequency of media exposure and the proximity in the images. Notoriously known perpetrators or celebrities tend to appear in closer range shots. The emotional expression of the perpetrators (tension, indignation) further affects viewer perception. The study further discusses the communicative aims of image selection, including crime prevention, vilification of targeted communities, or simply telling a gripping story. The ideological leanings of The Telegraph (right-leaning, pro-Christian) influence the framing of certain cases, such as 'mercy killings'. The representation of 'good upstanding citizens' breaking the law, especially in cases of self-defense, demonstrates another dimension of framing choices.

The findings demonstrate how The Telegraph uses multimodal strategies to frame the representation of alleged perpetrators. The use of close-ups in demand images creates a sense of immediacy and danger, especially for perpetrators of violent crimes, while longer-range shots in offer images create distance and foster interpretation. The choice of shot angle and background contributes to the overall message. The study reveals that geographical/political proximity and the perceived threat level influence the choice of visual framing. Repeated media exposure familiarizes readers with some perpetrators, leading to closer shots. The combination of linguistic labels and visual framing constructs an emotional response in the audience, aligning with the newspaper's ideological stance. The study shows how images can contribute to both warning the public about danger and legitimizing law enforcement actions. The inclusion of images, particularly those resembling police mug shots, may serve to socially exclude certain individuals from the ingroup. This act of exclusion, through naming and visual representation, occurs before a verdict is reached, raising ethical considerations regarding potential prejudice and damage to reputation.

This study demonstrates how The Telegraph uses a combination of verbal and visual strategies to frame the representation of alleged perpetrators, creating a multimodal message. The choice of image type (demand vs. offer), shot range, camera angle, and linguistic labels work together to shape viewer perception of danger and threat. Geographical proximity, perceived threat level, and media exposure influence framing choices. The study highlights the dual function of images: warning the audience and legitimizing law enforcement actions. Future research could examine the representation of other social actors involved in violence, comparing across different media platforms and examining the long-term effects of such framing on public opinion.

The study focuses solely on the representation of alleged perpetrators in The Telegraph, limiting the generalizability to other media outlets or types of social actors. While the study identifies patterns in framing, a larger study across various platforms would strengthen the conclusions. Although the study uses an interdisciplinary approach, the subjective nature of interpretation inherent to CDA and MCDA is acknowledged.