Om jag säger Rinkeby, vad tänker du då?

The objective of this research was to study how two newspapers in Sweden, Aftonbladet and Expressen are creating an image of the Stockholm suburb Rinkeby. The method used to do the study was qualitative content analysis. Ten articles were chosen, five off either newspaper and were found on the internet homepages of the newspapers on 15 November of 2013 and 27 January of 2014. Several theories were used in the study. Agenda setting theory, a media theory that explains the power of media, Figuration theory developed by Norbert Elias that deals with power struggles between different groups in society. Labeling theory explains how society, by labeling someone a “criminal” may accept it as an own identity and become one. Mats Franzén theory of power and how it can be understood thru discourse, context and resources. While studying the subject I realized that for long time the suburbs of Sweden have been portrayed in a negative context, especially “famous” suburbs like Rinkeby. The suburbs’ are constructed by the media as very dangerous places, with young people (often males) running wild and engaging in destructive behavior.