title: Changing coverage of domestic violence murders: a longitudinal experiment in participatory communication.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University of Massachusetts-Lowell, Boston College, USA.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anastario
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: DaCunha
mesh_terms: 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