This master thesis focuses on the social and cultural implications of the true crime genre, with
a particular focus on podcasts. The genre is characterised by constant evolution, with violent
and sensationalist events presented as true stories remaining at the centre of the narrative. The
use of narrative techniques typical of fiction blurs the boundaries between news and
entertainment. By analysing selected sources, a historical overview is provided, illustrating the
evolution of the true crime genre and the parallel rise of podcasts as its current and widespread
form. The study further analyses different formats and themes prevalent in contemporary true
crime podcasts, as well as the demographics and motivations of their listeners and producers.
Additional attention is given to the potential of participatory practices for social change and
different forms of justice, the increased interest of women in the genre, and feminist
perspectives, representations, and commercialisation. The empirical part provides an overview
of true crime content production in the Slovenian environment, with a focus on podcasts. Based
on in-depth interviews with listeners and a podcast producer, the final section presents and
interprets the results of a pilot study on motivations, meanings, and different aspects of true
crime podcasts in the Slovenian context. The findings show that podcast reception and
production remain limited, with entertainment, information-seeking, curiosity, and
psychological interest being the primary motivators.
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