NCJ Number
240976
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 52 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2012 Pages: 1212-1232
Date Published
November 2012
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study explored the reasons used by United Kingdom national tabloid journalists in their decisionmaking regarding the newsworthiness of homicide.
Abstract
Homicide is the most newsworthy of all crimes. Yet not all homicides are reported equally: some receive extensive coverage while others receive little or none. Qualitative questionnaires, completed by 10 United Kingdom national tabloid journalists, explored the criteria that determine the newsworthiness of homicide. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis revealed that, with certain exceptions, homicides involving 'perfect' victims, statistically deviant features, killers on the run, sensational elements and/or serial killers will almost always be newsworthy, while those involving 'undeserving' victims in commonplace circumstances will almost always not. However, analysis further revealed that there will always be caveats to this, with some, normally under-reported, homicides gaining widespread coverage through unpredictable factors such as current societal issues or interest from a particular editor. (Published Abstract)