Facing the Death Penalty While Facing the Cameras

Abstract

This case study of a capital murder trial explores the way television journalism work routines shape trial coverage. Based on field observations, textual analysis and open-ended interviews, it examines how television news routines are translated into the stories that are broadcast and posted to the Web. The interviews and fieldwork made it possible to connect the way gatekeeping and the source–journalist relationship affect the framing of the stories produced. The project also evaluates the process and product according to normative expectations for US journalism. The analysis suggests that video news-gathering routines for trials rely heavily on law-enforcement sources, granting considerable control for the story's framing to those authorities.

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