Murder in Black

Abstract

Crime stories, particularly homicide, are extremely prevalent in the media. The current study builds on previous literature by examining a nearly homogenous victim population (N = 223) to identify salient predictors of newsworthiness, particularly celebrated coverage, using The Baltimore Sun, the city's largest newspaper. Contrary to prior research, in this analysis, neither race nor gender were found to be consistent significant factors in receiving media coverage. Various factors, including females, older victims, White victims, and homicides by stabbings, asphyxiation, or other circumstances, were found to be indicators of several types of celebrated coverage.

Questioning Assumptions about Race, Social Class and Crime Portrayal: An Analysis of Ten Years of Law and Order

“…Likewise, Dixon and Linz (2011) and Cheliotis (2010) found that in news reports of crime, victims were more likely to be white and criminals were more likely to be African American. However, Schildkraut and Donley (2012) found that race and gender were not significant predictors of news reports of murder in the Baltimore area. Rather, the motivating factor for news coverage was whether the crime was local and the details of the crime.…”

“…In fact, even when the representations of race and crime reflect the actual crime statistics, the public reports that blacks are more often portrayed as criminals (Eschholl et al, 2004). We may also tend to expect that most criminals will be non-white males and come from a poor or working class background, though recent studies suggest that our assumptions on race and class may need to be revised (Mastroa, and Robinson, 2000;Schildkraut, and Donley, 2012). Finally, we expect that the criminal justice system will be negatively portrayed in the press and in popular entertainment (Cheatwood, 2010) and that research has shown that the media focuses on maintaining the status-quo over educating the population (Delli Carpini and Williams, 1994).…”

“…As Eschholz noted in her study of Law and Order and NYPD Blue (2004) the program that was analyzed marketed itself as being realistic and pulling stories from the headlines. At least one study (Schildkraut, 2012) found that the most important motivator for news coverage of crime was the 'unusual' nature of the crime. It is possible that the majority of stories portrayed over the decade were 'unusual' and that the racial representations were a byproduct of that rather than a direct design to educate or challenge biased opinions.…”

“TO ME ITS [SIC] REAL LIFE”: Secondary Victims of Homicide in Newer Media

“…Other U.S. research takes a different stance, arguing that the key determinant of coverage is the extent to which homicides deviate from or reinforce culturally rooted norms and expectations (Gruenewald, Chermak, & Pizarro, 2013;Gruenewald, Pizarro, & Chermak, 2009;Lundman, 2003;Pritchard & Hughes, 1997). In relation to Baltimore, where the majority of homicide victims are black, killings involving white, female, or older victims-and those by stabbing or asphyxiation-are particularly overrepresented (Schildkraut & Donley, 2012). Lee was not living a high-risk existence at the margins of society.…”

An interreality study of race and homicide news coverage in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

“…One way to understand news organizations portrayal of homicide is through a “media distortion analysis” (Gruenewald et al, 2009; Schidkraut and Donley, 2012). Media distortion can be the result of journalists’ news values , or biases which typically favor stories that are quick, easy to produce, sensational, and that rely on official sources (Chermak, 1995; Gans, 2005).…”