media reality, reality news and race

news as a social construct what shapes news? general news norms (proximity, impact, timeliness, etc.) news management public relations technology (24/7 news) economics (crime on local news)

Charles and Carol Stuart police AND media believe Charles’ story immediately, even though routine to suspect spouse media quickly buy idea of black assailant media: just following police, follow sources media know of, ignore, inconsistencies black leaders fault media coverage

Rev. Charles Stith starting point: negative, racist assumptions (e.g., black men= criminals) rush to judgment, condemnation ignoring common sense, not pursuing a thorough investigation

Frank Lomax, Urban League background = media coverage of African Americans media framing: blacks = problem people (rather than every-day life portrayal)

Charles Sobran, journalist case study of how we generalize about blacks and crime stereotypes: blacks as criminals

Susan Smith case 1994 Union, South Carolina African American man hijacks car, takes two small children of white woman national hunt for this black criminal; extensive media coverage – sketch of criminal final admission

Entman studies study of 200 news shows in Chicago blacks more likely to be in physical grasp of police (message: more dangerous) blacks less likely to have names displayed on TV (message: not as important; anonymous criminals)

USA Today Study reality: drug users in America 15% African Americans 75% whites TV “reality” 55% African Americans 30% whites

coverage of rape story 1: 29 year old woman, assaulted, forced to jump off roof, rescued. limited news coverage story 2: 28 year old woman, assaulted, in coma, near death. major news coverage what’s the difference?

are the media white?

1.personnel 2.visibility 3.stereotypes 4.sources 5.Kerner Commission 6. Miami, LA 1992

goals of good reporting accuracy: reflecting the every-day life of the community

1. personnel 1970: 1% of U.S. newspaper employees = people of color; U.S. population then 14% non- white. 2001: 12 percent of U.S. newspaper employees people of color; US population 20% non-white 40% of US newspapers still all white staffs television news staffs: 9 percent non-white

personnel personnel issues: why the emphasis on hiring? knowledge experience, connections sensitivity hiring alone not enough avoiding pigeon-holing newsroom culture

2. visibility visibility matters “symbolic annihilation”

New York Times, 1998 subjectwhitespeople of color crime, accidents8%62% entertainment, sports 21%37% politics, business 68%0 #12312

New York Times, 2001 subjectwhitesPOC, US Entertainment38%9% sports16%52% crime, accidents6%30% business, politics40%9% #10921

3. stereotypes deeply held in the society, visible in the media

4. sources reporters talk to people they know, people “like them” failure to develop sources in minority communities (e.g., Los Angeles 1960s, 1990s – no key sources in black community) key source on minorities: police (so news about crime)

5. Kerner Commission, 1969 National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders: riots media make a real effort, but failed exaggerated mood, events; many errors

Kerner problems with reporting little understanding of black community failure to cover underlying issues (all event oriented) reliance on white sources – white property owners, police

6. Miami, 1980 Liberty City, Overtown key source of info: police no sources in black community underlying context black press reports; ignored in mainstream media focus on white losses (property, deaths)

7. Los Angeles, 1992 Rodney King beating, 1991; acquittal of police officers,1992 reliance on official sources (police, public officials); limited black sources underlying conditions not covered over-emphasis on inter-racial conflict emphasis on white losses

some solutions wider source base give voice to all community members cover “every day life” throughout the community recognize, limit white perspective on news

Diversity and News -- part 2

Ethnic/community media Wide variety of media Commonalities: Target key audience, content for that audience Visibility Resistance Advocacy

Mainstream Media Issue of ACCURACY Methods: Personnel Diversity of Sources Photo audits News guidelines/checklist