A. Plan of Investigation
This investigation analyzes how the reports of the Beltway Sniper Attacks were given (newspaper or television, etc.) changed the public’s reaction the amount attention that was given to this event. To be able to analyze this, I will look at different newspaper reports that were published discussing the different ways that the media took to reporting about this event. The varying reasons for differing reports will be explored; along with the different ways these reports affected American citizens.
The two sources that have been selected for evaluation are “Cable's Focus on Sniper Helped the Authorities, but Also Drew Harsh Critics” by Felicity Barringer and Jim Rutenburg and “Poll finds appetite for sniper coverage” by Bruce Schwartz. These were picked in particular They will be evaluated for origin, purpose, value, and limitations.
B. Summary of Evidence
• Beltway Sniper attacks took place in the Washington Metropolitan Area over three weeks in October 2002
• Took the lives of 10 innocent people and severely injured 3 others
• Named Beltway Sniper Attacks because it was thought that the shooter was using a single sniper and got around by using the Capital Beltway.
• It was thought that the attacker traveled in a white truck or van but later it was found out that he traveled in a blue 1990 Chevrolet Caprice sedan o Citizens soon came to be very skeptical of anyone driving large white car (media released false information)
• 2 men
• 1 adult and one minor
• John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo
• False arrests were made
• Articles in the New York Times that were written by Jayson Blair were fabricated which lead to the two main editors of the newspaper to resign
• Specific threats to children were made
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...of Reality TV.” New York Times. N.p. 21 Oct. 2002. Web. 09 May 2013.
• Johnson, Peter. "Media Walk Careful Line in Sniper Case." USATODAY.com. N.p., 14 Oct. 2002. Web. 09 May 2013. .
• Seelye, Katharine. “Lack of News Doesn’t Deter Coverage.” New York Times. N.p. 16 Oct. 2002. Web. 09 May 2013.
• Schwartz, Bruce. "Poll Finds Appetite for Sniper Coverage." USATODAY.com. N.p., 23 Oct. 2002. Web. 19 May 2013. .
• Johnson, Peter. "Like the Sniper, Story Seems Unstoppable." USATODAY.com. N.p., 23 Oct. 2002. Web. 29 May 2013. .
Briscoe, Daren, The Green Beret Murders Haven’t Given Up. Newsweek, August 30, 2004. Vol. 144, Issue 9, p6, 4/5p, 1c. Retrieved from EBSCO database on the World Wide Web: http://web3.epnet.com/
There are similarities and differences in how the authors of “American History” and “ TV Coverage of JFK’s Death Forged Mediums’ Role” use Kennedy’s assassination in their writing. The intended effect of “American History” was to entertain and show how TV news and news in general affects people. In contrast the intended effect of “Tv Coverage…” was to inform readers how John F. Kennedy's assassination affected the news. The author Joanne Ostrow and Judith Ortiz Cofer both use Kennedy’s assassination in their writing to explain how TV news affects people in a community.
In “Reporting the News” by George C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L. Lineberry, the main idea is how the media determines what to air, where to get said stories that will air, how the media presents the news, and the medias effect on the general public. “Reporting The News” is a very strong and detailed article. The authors’ purpose is to inform the readers of what goes on in the news media. This can be inferred by the authors’ tone. The authors’ overall tone is critical of the topics that are covered. The tone can be determined by the authors’ strong use of transitions, specific examples, and phrases or words that indicate analysis. To summarize, first, the authors’ indicate that the media chooses its stories that will air
New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. 11 Jan. 2010. Web. 19 May 2010.
Malvo was initially arrested under federal charges, but they were dropped. He was transferred to Virginia and sent to jail in Fairfax County; charged for two capital crimes and the unlawful use of a firearm in the murder of FBI analyst Linda Franklin. Malvo confessed that he “intended to kill them all.” The trial was moved to the city of Chesapeake in southeastern Virginia. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to all charges on the grounds that he was under Muhammad’s complete control. In 2006, Malvo confessed that the pair also killed victims in California, Arizona, and Texas, for a total of 17 victims. Currently, Lee Boyd Malvo is incarcerated at the Red Onion State Prison, located in Virginia.
John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo are two murderers that are known as the Beltway Sniper. Muhammad and Malvo killings are known to be random, which categorizes their killings as a killing spree. During the duration of their killing spree, they caused major panic throughout the United States. This notorious shootings that terrorized the United States took place in 2002. The shootings ended up taking the lives of 10 individuals and injuring 3 others (Blades, 2005, para.1). The shooting at the time it took place is considered unique because their weapon of choice to carry out their plan was a sniper rifle. What is unique about this case is that investigators and criminal theorist
Smith, Hedrick. "Barnett Charges Marshalls: Says 'Trigger- Happy' U.S. Officers are Responsible for Campus Bloodshed." New York Times 1 Oct 1962: 2.
New York Times. The New York Times Company, 23 Jan. 2010. Web. 22 Jan. 2014.
Johnson, Fawn. "The Silver Lining in the Gun-Control Defeat." National Journal. (2013): Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Web 31 Oct. 2013
Schmidt, Michael. “Fatal Bombs in Iraq Seemed Aimed at Militia.” The New York Times. 09 Feb. 2011. Web. 26 Feb. 2011.
Bonila, Denise M., and Levy, Beth, Eds. The Power of the Press. H. W. Wilson, 1999.
Ring, Ray. “Guns R Us.” High Country News (Paonia, Co) Vol. 39, No. 14 Aug. 6 2007:10-17. Sirs Issues Researcher. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.
...ared Loughner’s Path in Hour Before Arizona Shooting.” The Daily Beast. The Daily Beast. 12 Jan. 2011. Web. 5 June 2015.
...plications, the public is able to share and obtain information before the morning newspaper is delivered. In addition, the media today continues to dramatize public events. Cases such as the Zimmerman Trial or foreign incidents in Ukraine remain headlines on news articles for months. Each source presents bias and influences its audience differently.
SCHECHTER, Danny (2001). "Covering Violence: How Should Media Handle Conflict?" mediachannel.org. Online at: http://www.mediachannel.org/views/dissector/coveringviolence.shtml, consulted on March 27, 2004.