| This study compared the newspaper coverage of the trials of two similar
crimes in two different countries to examine similarities and differences in
coverage. The U.S. coverage of the trial of Theodore Kaczynski (the
Unabomber) and the British coverage of the trial of David Copeland (the
Nailbomber), both of whom were found guilty for their crimes, were compared
as to the underlying narrative structure, themes and motifs that
characterized each. In a total of 133 articles from six broadsheet,
middle-brow and tabloid newspapers, there was a prevailing use of narrative
and stereotypical frameworks in the coverage in both countries. For example,
Kaczynski was characterized as a hermit, while Copeland was labeled a Nazi.
Yet the coverage differed in emphasis: the British coverage obsessed with
the story of the crime whereas the U.S. press emphasized the story of the
trial. Just over 50% of the U.S. articles (compared to 2% of the British
coverage) focused on the trial, in particular the legal strategy of the
defense and prosecution. In comparison, 40% of the British coverage (vs. 8%
of the U.S. coverage) focused on the crimes themselves for the most part
retelling the stories of the events and of the victims. In both cases,
particularly in the U.S., this resulted in an almost total absence of a
wider discussion of relevant criminal justice issues, particularly
concerning the treatment of defendants with mental illnesses. These findings
are supported by other scholarship that discusses how the critical questions
of "how" and "why" are often ignored in contemporary reporting in favor of
stories that rely too heavily on stereotypes and thematic narrative
representations of the events. What makes these cases significant is that
they were about an issue that is central in society, crime and how we deal
with those who commit it. These results demonstrate the need for more
responsible journalism, particularly in the reporting of trials, so that a
public dialogue on criminal justice issues can be encouraged. While
journalists continue to ignore the wider questions, they are simply
perpetuating the ignorance that persists about mental illness, crime and
punishment.
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Updated 05/20/2006