Posted by Orin Kerr:
Missing Persons and Media Bias:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2005_05_29-2005_06_04.shtml#1117926239
Every missing persons report is a potential tragedy. You never know
what happened to the person reported missing, and often missing
persons investigations uncover terrible crimes. Given this, I think it
is perfectly fair for the press to cover such reports as important
stories. There is also a chance that press coverage can lead to the
person being found, which creates a special role for press coverage.
At the same time, I am often amazed at how brazen the MSM can be in
selecting what types of missing persons reports it selects as leading
stories, especially on websites and TV. The missing person is almost
always young; always a woman; always white; and always attractive.
Right now the CNN.com home page is leading with [1]this missing
persons story, featuring (of course) a photograph of the attractive
young woman front and center:
I can't stress enough that I am not saying this story isn't
newsworthy. Every missing persons report is potentially newsworthy.
Still, a person who followed the MSM uncritically might think that the
only missing people in America are young attractive white women.
References
Visible links
1. http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/americas/06/04/missing.teen/index.html
Hidden links:
2. file://localhost/files/cnn.jpg
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