Network News Coverage of High-Profile Crimes during 2004: A Study of Source use and Reporter Context

Abstract

A study of network news in 2004 found reporting about high-profile crimes (Michael Jackson, Kobe Bryant, Scott Peterson, and Martha Stewart) differed from reporting in other significant stories. Morning network news carried the bulk (84%) of high-profile crime stories that were broadcast on network news. The morning high-profile crime stories had more transparent sources compared to other significant stories and were more likely to have only one viewpoint and contain anonymous sources. These results suggest that TV sensationalism should be defined and studied for reporting standards, and not just for topic and treatment.