Changing coverage of domestic violence murders: a longitudinal experiment in participatory communication.
Stressing relation-building and participatory communication approaches, the Rhode Island Coalition against Domestic Violence worked with journalists to develop a best practices handbook on news coverage of domestic violence murders. This study compares print coverage of domestic violence murders prehandbook (1996-1999) and posthandbook (2000-2002). Significant changes include increased labeling of the murder of intimates as domestic violence and doubled usage of advocates as sources. As a result, domestic violence murders, previously framed as unpredictable private tragedies, are more commonly framed posthandbook as social problems warranting public intervention. The authors conclude that relation-building approaches can affect news cultures and public discourse when conducted in conjunction with comprehensive participatory communications strategies.
Ryan
Charlotte
C
University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Boston College, USA.
Anastario
Mike
M
DaCunha
Alfredo
A
D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000145:classification* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006708:Homicide / Q000145:classification* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D012237:Rhode Island; D012922:Social Change