Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The reporting trajectories of top homicide cases in the media
T2 - a case study of The Times.
AU - Soothill, Keith
AU - Peelo, Moira Teresa
AU - Pearson, Jayn
AU - Francis, Brian
N1 - 40% contribution RAE_import_type : Journal article RAE_uoa_type : Social Work and Social Policy & Administration
PY - 2004/1
Y1 - 2004/1
N2 - This study describes the reporting trajectories of the 13 cases that received the most coverage in a leading British newspaper, The Times, over a period of 23 years (1977 to 1999 inclusive). We have classified these as ‘mega-cases’. This approach moves beyond merely measuring the coverage of cases to charting how cases can escalate to become ‘moral panics’, move into a shared ‘general knowledge’ of killing or, in some cases, come to occupy iconic status. Some ‘mega’ cases fade from consciousness when viewed over a period of time. In ‘mega-cases’ there is an unexpected ‘primary incident’ that makes the case newsworthy in the first instance. Then the ‘formal process’ helps to manage a homicide within accepted and acceptable boundaries. In broad terms, the media trajectories of these ‘mega-cases’ following the ‘primary incident’ are predictable. However, further unexpected ‘incidents’ unrelated to ‘process’– suicides, attacks by other prisoners, escapes – challenge the predictability of these ‘mega-cases’. The trajectories of homicide cases that begin to link in with wider societal agendas are the most difficult to predict.
AB - This study describes the reporting trajectories of the 13 cases that received the most coverage in a leading British newspaper, The Times, over a period of 23 years (1977 to 1999 inclusive). We have classified these as ‘mega-cases’. This approach moves beyond merely measuring the coverage of cases to charting how cases can escalate to become ‘moral panics’, move into a shared ‘general knowledge’ of killing or, in some cases, come to occupy iconic status. Some ‘mega’ cases fade from consciousness when viewed over a period of time. In ‘mega-cases’ there is an unexpected ‘primary incident’ that makes the case newsworthy in the first instance. Then the ‘formal process’ helps to manage a homicide within accepted and acceptable boundaries. In broad terms, the media trajectories of these ‘mega-cases’ following the ‘primary incident’ are predictable. However, further unexpected ‘incidents’ unrelated to ‘process’– suicides, attacks by other prisoners, escapes – challenge the predictability of these ‘mega-cases’. The trajectories of homicide cases that begin to link in with wider societal agendas are the most difficult to predict.
U2 - 10.1111/j.1468-2311.2004.00307.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1468-2311.2004.00307.x
M3 - Journal article
VL - 43
SP - 1
EP - 14
JO - The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice
JF - The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice
SN - 0265-5527
IS - 1
ER -