JOUR1111 Annotated Bibliography
- Assessment
Four -
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Journalism is a fundamental
element in the portrayal of accurate and detailed information on an event or
issue to the public. However the means in doing so effectively and factually is
of paramount importance in providing the right news to the world. This
annotated bibliography will cite four varying media sources surrounding the
mystery disappearance of missing now nine-year-old girl, Madeleine McCann. The
mediums studied include Kerry O’Brien’s BBC Four Corners interview with Jim
Gamble, the Guardian newspapers article, the Mail Online and finally an
academic paper on the ‘Child Abduction Policy: Influenced by Media Coverage...’
by Glenn W. Muschert, PHD, Melissa Young-Spillers, MS and Dawn Carr, MGS. These
four sources will ultimately portray varying uncovering’s of credibility,
validation and accuracy due to the means in which the media information is
provided.
Laville,
S. (2012, April 25). Madeleine McCann could be living with abductor, says
Scotland Yard. The Guardian.
Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/apr/25/madeleine-mccann-yard-case
The United Kingdom’s Guardian newspaper
journalist, Sandra Laville, reported on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann
based on current statements and actions of the Scotland Yard detectives. The article
revolves around the attention brought to the unresolved case after the release
of a picture of what Madeleine McCann may look like today as new
information is attempted to be uncovered. Laville, the crime correspondent for
the Guardian newspaper, has drawn on many credible persons in her written
article. Having used quotes from the Detective Chief Inspector, Andy Redwood,
of Scotland Yard’s homicide and serious crime command, as well as Commander
Simon Foy, the head of homicide command and finally a quote from Jim Gamble in
his interview with Kerry O’Brien, it becomes apparent of the degree to which of
investigation in gaining credibility in this article. The accuracy and degree
of information is not suppressed to the reader, which ultimately forces its
salient content to resonate with the reader. The Guardian Newspaper is a very
well-known and appreciated news outlet which has been effectively portrayed in
the release of this article and its height in content.
Bilton,
R. (2012, May 17). [Television Program]. Sydney, NSW: BBC Four Corners.
In this interview, Four Corners reporter
Kerry O’Brien speaks to Jim Gamble in regard to the reopening of the Madeleine
McCann case. The BBC News channel, in which Four Corners is viewed on,
functions as a form of public media.
As public media is all about the publics right to information, this channel
requires intelligent and educated persons to appear to provide the audience
with this right. In introducing Jim Gamble to the program, O’Brien speaks of
the guests credibility. He draws on Mr. Gamble being a former senior Scotland
Yard investigator, the leader in the British National Crime Intelligence
Service fight against child abuse, and the head of the Child Exploitation and
Online Protection Centre within the UK police (where he did some analysis for
the Portuguese police early in the investigation of Madeleine’s disappearance).
This ultimately provides the audience with a detailed explanation to why this
man deserves to be listened to. Throughout the interview Gamble provides great
detail of the police’s willingness and hope in finding Madeleine McCann in this
horror case, this adds a sense of humility to the interview in a bid for the
audience to further appreciate the interviewee and the network. The BBC further
promotes credibility and validation to its audience in the use of Kerry O’Brien
as a host due to his well-known talent due to his 46 years in the industry.
Smith,
G. (2012, May 8). Groggy girl identical to Madeleine McCann spotted at Costa
del Sol campsite just three days after she went missing. Online Mail. Retreieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2141100/Madeleine-McCann-spotted-Costa-del-Sol-campsite-3-days-went-missing.html
This online news site provides a 24-hour
news cycle. This new form of media allows for constant updating, editing and
reader input with commenting and forums. The Mail Online site published an
article by journalist Graham Smith in regard to a possible sighting of
Madeleine McCann three days after she was claimed to be missing. As this
article was only published as of the 8 May 2012, the credibility of the source
used becomes very questionable. Five years since her disappearance, it would
seem strange that such statements are only coming to the surface now. Further,
the source remains unnamed for the piece, which fails to provide the reader
with confidence in the source. However, with the reopening of the case (in
which many elements were overlooked prior to it being closed) it is almost certain
that more possible sightings, like this, will be investigated more fully and
become available to the public eye. Although the credibility of the source is
uncertain, the site is very popular- having a Mail Online iTunes Application
available for download by the general public. The accuracy in detail and
validity of the finding seems vacant in the piece – however Graham Smith has
used effective language in attempting to make the audience believe this sighting
was definitely Madeleine. Ultimately, the credibility of the site outweighs the
audiences lack of belief in the story – the site makes the reader believe its
content.
Carr,
D & Muschert, G.W & Young-Spillers, M. (2005). Child Abduction Policy –
Influenced by Media Coverage or Empirical Data? Retrieved from http://www.drc.ohio.gov/web/reports/MuschertPaperRevised.pdf
Glenn W. Muschert, Melissa Young-Spillers
and Dawn Carr are all academics at the University of Miami. All three academic
professors bring years of study and education to their academic article titled ‘Child
Abduction Policy – Influenced by Media Coverage or Empirical Data?’ In this
article it is discussed of the representation of ‘horror stories’ (being
disturbing cases of child abduction) in the light of the media. The shock
disappearance of Madeleine McCann is a prime example of a horror abduction
story. The authors speak of ‘high profile cases’ and their ability to spark
national attention (an element that is paramount in the presentation of news
and current affairs). ‘Horror stories
have come to typify the child abduction problem in the contemporary public
discourse’ – this is evident in the portrayal of news in current times. The
application of the quote ‘if it bleeds, it leads’ comes into context with child
abductions. These horror stories have evolved into forming a common assumption to
the audience that when a child goes missing they are almost certainly being used
for sexual exploitation and then to be murdered by the stranger. However as the
article outlines, ‘child abductions … are strongly exemplified via news media
coverage…’ Therefore Muschert, Young-Spillers and Carr attempt to alter the
public discourse about such a social problem. The credibility of this academic
article is heightened throughout due to the degree in citation of other leading
professors in this field of study.
It is made clearly apparent of the
influential talent of the media in the portrayal and continued coverage of the
Madeleine McCann case. The degree to which the media continually brings
information regarding her disappearance to the surface undoubtedly promotes progress
in discovering closure.
Journalists are powerful people in
providing truths to the public – truths that all humans have a right to.
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