2008 Woodie Awards
Murder in the Media
Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: Opinion
The recent verdict of John Mark Karr's innocence served as a harsh, yet well-deserved blow to big media.
For decades, the practice of sensationalism in the media, or "yellow journalism," has
resulted in the faces of murderers (and perpetrators of other heinous crimes) being
plastered across every front page and television screen. Every second of their trial, and every detail of their crimes are shot-gunned down our throats with a couple of film trailers to chase them.
The media have a field day glamorizing their product with stories of murder, assault,
rape, and countless other types of violent abuse, and rockets the perpetrators into a sick type of celebrity status in the process. If you want to learn about anything of importance to health, technology, or the advancement of society, it's best to wait until after the commercial break, or check the bottom right-hand corner of page A-24.
As for the accused or convicted? We can refer back to the old refrain of public
relations: "No publicity is bad publicity."
Fame and infamy are synonymous in terms of recognition and acknowledgement. Celebrity has no morals or archetype; it just encompasses all of the names that the
media have determined worthy enough for the honor of perpetuation and immortality.
And, in the world of entertainment and information, murderers are definitely as deserving as actors, singers, athletes, and politicians.
The name of Scott Peterson, who was convicted of murder, is involuntarily burned into our minds right next to Brad Pitt, Gwen Stefani, Peyton Manning, and George W. Bush.
Despite his disgusting act, he was force-fed to the public to be unjustifiably honored with remembrance. There were no significant laws altered or created by Peterson's case, it was just a shocking, attention-grabbing story thrown into the forefront to gain ratings and circulation, while other important news fell by the wayside.
And now John Mark Karr, who was found to be innocent despite his confession to the
For decades, the practice of sensationalism in the media, or "yellow journalism," has
resulted in the faces of murderers (and perpetrators of other heinous crimes) being
plastered across every front page and television screen. Every second of their trial, and every detail of their crimes are shot-gunned down our throats with a couple of film trailers to chase them.
The media have a field day glamorizing their product with stories of murder, assault,
rape, and countless other types of violent abuse, and rockets the perpetrators into a sick type of celebrity status in the process. If you want to learn about anything of importance to health, technology, or the advancement of society, it's best to wait until after the commercial break, or check the bottom right-hand corner of page A-24.
As for the accused or convicted? We can refer back to the old refrain of public
relations: "No publicity is bad publicity."
Fame and infamy are synonymous in terms of recognition and acknowledgement. Celebrity has no morals or archetype; it just encompasses all of the names that the
media have determined worthy enough for the honor of perpetuation and immortality.
And, in the world of entertainment and information, murderers are definitely as deserving as actors, singers, athletes, and politicians.
The name of Scott Peterson, who was convicted of murder, is involuntarily burned into our minds right next to Brad Pitt, Gwen Stefani, Peyton Manning, and George W. Bush.
Despite his disgusting act, he was force-fed to the public to be unjustifiably honored with remembrance. There were no significant laws altered or created by Peterson's case, it was just a shocking, attention-grabbing story thrown into the forefront to gain ratings and circulation, while other important news fell by the wayside.
And now John Mark Karr, who was found to be innocent despite his confession to the
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A Voice of Sanity
posted 9/07/06 @ 9:41 PM PST
"The name of Scott Peterson, who was convicted of murder, is involuntarily burned into our minds ...
Despite his disgusting act, he was force-fed to the public to be unjustifiably honored with remembrance. (Continued…)
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