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Suzanne White

Jerry Sandusky: AN immoral man, or just a naughty one? How proximity to a situation can affect coverage, and how words can affect one’s public image. Suzanne White. Research Question.

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Suzanne White

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  1. Jerry Sandusky:AN immoral man, or just a naughty one?How proximity to a situation can affect coverage, and how words can affect one’s public image Suzanne White

  2. Research Question • What language is used in each paper to refer to Sandusky’s involvement/level of guilt in the sex-scandal? Based on this framing, which paper appears to present Sandusky in a more negative light? • WHY? • Examine how a publication staff’s proximity to a situation affects the framing of and amount of coverage of an issue • Ethical issue – should you cover an issue that affects you? • Sandusky case is perfect example – he worked for school and was prominent in community

  3. Domain • Penn State’s student-published paper, The Daily Collegian • Larger local newspaper, The Philadelphia Inquirer • Textual analysis of any Sandusky-related stories • Search in archives for mention of Sandusky • Time frame: • 1 paper a week from Nov. 5, 2011 to Jan. 22, 2012 • 13 issues per paper; 26 total • 57 articles total

  4. Findings

  5. Findings

  6. Findings

  7. WHAT?!! • Philadelphia Inquirer • Wider variety of terms - appears to present wider angle of coverage and therefore appears less biased • PRESENTS SANDUSKY IN MORE POSITIVE LIGHT • Daily Collegian • Strict legal script – smaller angle of coverage • Therefore coverage appears more biased • PRESENTS SANDUSKY IN MORE NEGATIVE LIGHT • WHY attempting to keep bias out in word choice by using legal terms may have backfired

  8. Context • Penn State football program major part of community culture and identity • Sandusky particularly prominent figure • BMSB study group on coverage: “Although the grand jury investigation into Sandusky’s alleged sex crimes had been underway for years and Sara Ganim, a journalist at The Patriot-News in Harrisburg, Pa., had been reporting on the investigation since March 31,1 it was not until Sandusky’s initial indictment and subsequent arrest that national media pounced on the story. That week, there were more than 2,000 stories in newspapers across the nation, as well as online discussions among sports fans and children’s advocates”

  9. Ethical Issues • Proximity to the situation • Truth telling • To report or not report?

  10. Ethical Theories DUTY BASED ENDS BASED GOLDEN MEAN VEIL OF IGNORANCE Report accurate and fair coverage to readers Offer wide angle of coverage for audience to have large picture Offer most appropriate, effective coverage to largest audience News assumed inherently objective; Treat Sandusky news as any other

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