Denial strategies about femicides in Mexican political discourse

Abstract

This article aims at showing the discourse strategies used by Mexican politicians in order to address the femicide crisis in their country, particularly when they try to disclaim responsibility or even deny the existence of the crisis itself. Drawing on discourse analysis, this study shows the diversity and abundance of discourse resources these politicians use to save face and sidestep the crisis. This research focuses on the discourse of a few Mexican politicians from different political parties when they respond to the questioning of their actions by the media. The theoretical framework reveals a number of biases in speech, as well as politicians’ delegitimization of the conflict.