Mainstream Media: JonBenet Murder vs War & Surveillance

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the perceived disparity in media coverage between the JonBenet Ramsey murder case and significant global issues such as wars and surveillance programs. Participants explore the reasons behind this phenomenon, including societal biases and media practices.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the phenomenon known as "Missing White Girl Syndrome" contributes to the disproportionate media attention given to cases like JonBenet Ramsey's compared to other serious issues.
  • One participant expresses frustration with the sensationalism of 24-hour news networks, noting that updates often repeat the same information without providing new insights.
  • Another participant highlights a perceived saturation point among Americans regarding the Iraq war, suggesting that it has led to diminished coverage in favor of more sensational stories.
  • Concerns are raised about the media's focus on trivial aspects of news stories, such as showing airport footage, rather than addressing more pressing global issues.
  • A participant shares a personal anecdote about another missing girl, questioning why similar cases do not receive the same level of attention as JonBenet's.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express dissatisfaction with media coverage, but there is no consensus on the reasons for the disparity or the implications of this phenomenon. Multiple competing views remain regarding the motivations behind media choices.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific cases and societal issues without reaching a resolution on the broader implications of media coverage practices. The discussion reflects a range of emotional responses and personal experiences related to the topic.

ksle82
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Call me ignorant but can somebody tell me why the jon bonet's(sp?) murder case gets more coverage than the war in iraq, war in the mid east, and nsa's wiretapping case, etc. combine? everytime i turn the channel to cnn, msnbc, fox, i would hear about this karr guy and the bonet's murder case. where else i can turn to for relevant news these days?
 
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It is simply because of Missing White Girl Syndrome.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missing_White_Girl_Syndrome

Here's something I found on the internet, saved, and edited a bit. It contains profanity. So, if you have a weak stomach, do not read on. :smile:

Moderator note: Quote deleted for lack of source.[/color]
Mk note: Readded, with source. Delete it if you may, I will only look at you like I would a politician[/color]
Moderator note: edited length due to copyright violation

http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2005/7/3/491/18474
Does the name "Natalee Holloway" ring a bell?

If you follow the news media in the United States, particular the 24-hour cable stations, it certainly ought to. On the other hand, if you've been living in a cave for the past month or so, here are the highlights: Natalee Holloway is an 18 year-old girl from Alabama who vanished on May 30th from the island of Aruba, where she was vacationing with some of her classmates to celebrate their high school graduation. Based on the amount of coverage that this story has received from the national media (Fox News in particular), one must draw the conclusion that this is a Very Important Issue, and that all Americans should care very deeply and personally about it.

I must confess that I do not.

Now, before I get called a heartless bastard, let me hasten to point out that I agree that this story is tragic. Natalee's family and friends have doubtless been going through hell during this past month. I do hope that she can be recovered safe and sound, though that possibility seems very remote at this point. If I were the King of the World, I would snap my fingers and instantly transport every missing person back to the safety of their families.
But what makes Natalee Holloway more important than, say, Reyna Alvarado-Carerra?
 
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The news media, especially the 24 hour variety, goes for sensationalism at every opportunity. My big gripe is that every fifteen minutes they claim to have an urgent update, and then proceeed to spew out the exact same information that they did fifteen minutes previously.

Apparently Americans have hit a saturation point with the war in Iraq. The news on the Iraq war was buried on page 17 of my morning paper.
 
edward said:
The news media, especially the 24 hour variety, goes for sensationalism at every opportunity.
That's why we love our CBC and CTV news; none of that Yankee sensationalist crap. :approve:
 
I was trying to figure that one out earlier tonight. On the 11:00 news, they were showing photos of the airport, where the plane Karr is on was due to land in 2 hours, as if that was somehow news. Thanks, but I know what an airport looks like. :rolleyes:
 
Moonbear said:
On the 11:00 news, they were showing photos of the airport, where the plane Karr is on was due to land in 2 hours, as if that was somehow news. Thanks, but I know what an airport looks like. :rolleyes:

Probably just reusing the footage from the LAX shutdown two weeks ago. They could be applauded for recycling, after all it's good for the environment...
 
I can't watch the news right now because of this very issue. It's even on CNN International. That's right, CNN International. The only reason I can fathom it was on there was because dude had to be extradited from Thailand.

But, you'd think that after he was extradited, they'd stop reporting on it? No. I am so, so aggravated inside by this. Around the time this girl was lost, a black girl the same age was kidnapped a few miles from my house. A lot of posters went up and a few spots on the local news, but she was never heard from again. Where are the MSNBC pundits speculating on what happened to her?

My sister is a Guardian ad Litem, a lawyer who defends children who have been abused by their parents or legal guardians. The kinds of stories I hear from her, the amount of work she has to do...

Bah... I'm going to stop before I start saying mean things while getting very cynical! :frown:
 
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