Neighborhood Context and Media Constructions of Murder

Abstract

Utilizing data from multiple local newspapers, this study examines disparities in the presence/absence and amount of newspaper coverage given to homicide victims in Los Angeles County, California. Multilevel logistic and negative binomial regressions indicate that the level of economic disadvantage and percentage of minority residents in/around the crime scene neighborhood negatively affects the presence/absence and rate of newspaper coverage. These findings contribute to the literature by highlighting the role of neighborhoods in the production of newspaper stories. This study has implications for the social construction of and criminal justice response to crime.

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“…There is a distinction in news coverage depending on the race of the criminal as well as the victim. Stories involving Black and Latino victims receive less news coverage than those involving White victims (Petersen, 2016;Sacco, 1995). Petersen (2016) found that even the neighborhood in which the crime occurred impacted the coverage the crime received.…”

“…Stories involving Black and Latino victims receive less news coverage than those involving White victims (Petersen, 2016;Sacco, 1995). Petersen (2016) found that even the neighborhood in which the crime occurred impacted the coverage the crime received. Homicides that occurred in or around disadvantaged areas were less likely to receive news coverage at all.…”