One of the primary responsibilities of journalists is to hold those in power accountable for their decisions – this practice is known as watchdog journalism.
According to a survey conducted by the Center for Media and Democracy, majorities of both political parties agree that journalists must serve as watchdogs. Nonetheless, there remains an evident partisan gap.
Examples of Media Outlets and Watchdog Organizations that Have Successfully Got Justice for a Victim of a Racist or Entitled Karen
Media coverage of crime stories can have an enormous impact on what stories get covered and how they’re covered, particularly when they involve racial or ethnic minorities as victims (Chricos & Eschholz 2002).
Studies have indicated that minorities are more often depicted as victims of crime in news stories compared to Whites. However, these results are based on a small number of investigations and the exact nature of these differential representations remains uncertain.
Some scholars assert that the power structure of news media plays a role in story selection. This is because most media organizations are owned and operated by White people, employing White reporters and anchors – potentially leading to White biases being reflected in their output.
One way to explain this phenomenon is by analyzing the race or ethnicity of perpetrators in news stories. Black perpetrators tend to be featured more prominently than White ones in crime reports, likely due to their disproportionate involvement in violent index crimes or being perceived as particularly dangerous individuals.
Similar to stories about female victims, stories about White victims tend to report their race as White rather than Black or Hispanic. This aligns with racial privilege theories which hold that television and other news media reflect the greater social value placed on White female victims over Black and Hispanic counterparts.
NBC News
NBC News is the news division of NBC Universal, a media conglomerate. It produces various television and radio shows which air on NBC-affiliated stations, cable networks CNBC and MSNBC, as well as various Internet platforms (like iHeartRadio) through TTWN Networks subsidiary.
The network also produces the weekly program Meet the Press and a daily show for Snapchat’s Discover platform, both of which have become highly-watched programs with an array of viewers. These shows boast massive audiences each week.
One way NBC News has promoted NBC News Now is by linking it to the “Stay Tuned” show hosted by Savannah Sellers and Jack Schwartz on Snapchat. This strategy is meant to incentivize viewers to tune in, Rodriguez explains.
Another way NBC has promoted its channel is by allowing local affiliates to add segments, such as breaking news coverage or inside-the-Beltway discussions, which helps it generate more money than with just one broadcast, according to Sheppard.
In the past, NBC News has often featured stories that drew controversy and criticism from watchdog organizations. In some cases, these cases even resulted in criminal investigations.
These examples demonstrate how media can be a powerful force for good. They protect and educate the public, ensuring victims of racist or entitled Karen get justice.
When covering crime news, there are many ethical considerations to take into account. For instance, how should reporters seek out or entrap criminals? Should they engage in deception or bribery to locate suspects? Should they pay government officials for stories or use outtakes from their reporting to aid their investigation? These and other ethical dilemmas must be taken into account when making decisions.
The New York Times
The New York Times is one of America’s most beloved newspapers, having been around since 1851. It has earned 112 Pulitzer Prizes and ranks third on the country’s newspaper list.
Established by a publisher and printer in New York City, The New York Times is an influential media outlet that covers both national and local news stories. It’s an indispensable component of a free democracy as well as an exciting marketplace of ideas.
It is a news organization that specializes in criminal justice coverage. Their reporting on these topics has earned them numerous awards, including the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Reporting.
In addition, The New York Times offers PressReader, a digital news product that allows users to read the newspaper on any device in real-time. You can view and read your issue in full, plus set it up for auto-downloading so you never miss something important again.
Eric Lipton’s investigation for The New York Times of Republican state attorneys general sitting around a pool at an exclusive hotel in California with corporate lobbyists was groundbreaking, revolutionizing our understanding of government corruption and ethics. It exposed how lawyers and lobbyists use campaign contributions, personal appeals at corporate-sponsored conferences and other forms of favors to persuade attorneys general to drop investigations, alter policies, negotiate sweetheart settlements or pressure federal regulators into taking action.
Following Lipton’s revelations, many state attorneys general are now calling for a new code of ethics to avoid even the appearance of conflict. Some are even considering banning contributions from companies involved in investigations.
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is renowned for its in-depth reporting on national and international affairs. It often sparks debate and controversy, but is also recognized for its fair and accurate reporting.
The paper has a reputation for investigative reporting, with staff members such as Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. The Watergate scandal brought the Post international notoriety and earned it a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of President Richard Nixon’s activities during and after the 1972 presidential election campaign.
Recently, The Post has experienced a series of scandals which have placed its credibility and reputation at risk. These include reports revealing that the Secret Service deleted text messages related to the January 6 attacks on Capitol; an article regarding Jamal Khashoggi’s death in Turkey; and a story regarding controversial blackface used by white entertainers.
At The Washington Post, pressure to improve its image has led to several resignations. One such individual is Karen Attiah – a columnist on “race, international affairs, culture and human rights”.
Recently, Attiah was widely condemned by social media users for her racist tweet that condemned all white women. This sparked an array of responses calling for her dismissal from the position.
Attiah’s retweets of racist jokes on Twitter sparked controversy and eventually resulted in her suspension by the paper. This has also sparked an online discussion over The Post’s policy regarding social media usage as well as how it treats its journalists who are exposed to public scrutiny.
The Guardian
The Guardian is a news publisher that distributes its content both online and through their apps. Their mission is to offer readers quality journalism that emphasizes impartial reporting. This goal is achieved by educating its readers and giving them the facts necessary for informed decisions.
The Guardian offers readers a platform where they can contribute their opinions to articles written by its staff and writers, as well as leave comments on other people’s posts. This is an effective way for individuals to have their voices heard by others and increase understanding around their perspectives.
Reports indicate that The Guardian produces most of their news based on their own research, without influence from advertisers or political parties. This is an important factor as it guarantees impartiality in reporting without favoring one party over another.
As of 2020, The Guardian boasts an estimated total readership of 1.5 million. This number includes print subscriptions and digital contributions from their digital subscribers – a testament to how popular their paper continues to be among readers.
The Guardian is an influential news publication with a strong political bias, often offering its opinion on important public affairs. This has cemented its place as one of the go-to news sources around the world. Furthermore, The Guardian boasts an impeccable reputation for being honest and reporting facts without sensationalizing them. Furthermore, The Guardian often endorses left wing ideologies within British politics.
