Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Blog #3d: Bias in the Media Surrounding Trayvon Martin Case
Several of you have noted that the media reported information about Trayvon, Zimmerman and the events of that fateful night in different, contradictory ways and in ways that increased confusion and suggested or supported racial bias. Find one or two examples and post them here--cite exact source and author if there is one--where possible show contrasting representations to prove the bias you are describing.
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http://thedailyjournalist.com/pen-and-pad/media-bias-the-case-of-trayvon-martin-and-chris-lane/%0A
ReplyDeleteIn the article above the issue of social media was discussed. Many social networks were being used as a sense of online propaganda for the Trayvon Martin case. The younger generation was seeing a lot of opinions being posted rather than actual facts about the case. Many people were now considering themselves the victims, calling themselves "Trayvon Martin's" based on the many opinions of others.
In another article done by a magazine they pointed out how the major news outlet NBC actually edited George Zimmerman's 9-1-1 call making him sound like a racist. NBC reported that Zimmerman told the 9-1-1 operator " This guy looks like he’s up to no good. He looks black." When actually the 9-1-1 call went like this...
Zimmerman: This guy looks like he’s up to no good. Or he’s on drugs or something. It’s raining and he’s just walking around, looking about.
Dispatcher: OK, and this guy — is he black, white or Hispanic?
Zimmerman: He looks black.
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/04/05/martin-case-and-media-distrust/
The media definitely have crested a bias in the people watching and following the case or in many cases the people who check their Facebook news feed or what is posted on Instagram and twitter. Even major news stations like NBC have edited the facts or evidence to make Zimmerman seem like someone he may not be just to have an "interesting enough" story to report out to the people.
Victoria--very clear examples--NBC got in a lot of trouble for that editing as I recall. So have you thought about how to organize your essay around these examples? Do you think you need bias against Zimmerman too or just Trayvon?
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