Media Framing and the Selection of Newsworthy Events

 Monday’s reading discussed the media’s role in the way the American public view the news, specifically the Matthew Shepard Murder. The article refers to this situation as media framing or how the media defines an event and how that definition shapes the public’s opinion. 

            In class, we discussed that because this case got so much media attention, Matthew Shepard was transformed into a matyr, Henderson and McKinney were ruthless and barbaric scumbags, and the nation was suddenly very sympathetic of hate crimes against homosexuals.

            However, all of these polarizing new feelings were only the result of the way the media plotted the story to the American public. Once the evil McKinney and Henderson were behind bars, it was as if everything was back in balance and the drive for laws against hate crimes was suddenly forgotten.

            I see this trend and agree that the media definitely has a huge role in how Americans view news because, essentially, they are the gatekeepers of the information. However, because I am a journalism student and learn in other classes how to pick newsworthy events, I am conflicted by the negative connotation that this process is given in this particular class.

            There are so many things that happen nationwide everyday and it is impossible for everything to get proper news coverage. That is why there is such a selection process.

            I think that the Matthew Shepard case was a newsworthy event because it had elements of proximity, timeliness, conflict, controversy, and loss of life. It took place in typical small town USA however everything in the story was already so extreme. The victim was so innocent and fragile and the antagonists were so ignorant, brutal, and cruel.  

            I think that is unfortunate how content the American public was after the murderers were convicted and how motivation for the new hate crime bills was lost. However, I do not think the media has as much as a manipulative agenda as it is made up to have. I believe that they have to select stories in which they think are the most newsworthy and that people have a want and need to know.