White, young, missing? You're on TV

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-miss16.html

Most of the missing adults tracked by the FBI are men. More than one in five of those abducted or kidnapped are black.

But you might not get that impression from the news media, and some journalism watchdogs are now taking the industry to task for what they see as a disproportionate emphasis on cases in which white girls and women -- overwhelmingly upper-middle class and attractive -- disappear.

Television executives, who receive much of the criticism, defend their coverage. They emphasize that cases such as the recent disappearance in Aruba of 18-year-old Natalee Holloway of Alabama are extraordinary, and would be newsworthy no matter her background.

Looks count

Indeed, no critic denies that the Holloway case and other disappearances are wrenching for those involved. But some insist that media attention on so few people overshadows the more than 100,000 active files on missing adults and children tracked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

''To be blunt, blond white chicks who go missing get covered, and poor, black, Hispanic or other people of color who go missing do not get covered,'' said Tom Rosenstiel, director of the Washington-based Project for Excellence in Journalism.

[NewInNewJ.]

1. Well, I'm 55

white female, alittle over weight , blond, with a little help and descent in looks otherwise. I know with out a doubt that my disappearance would not be covered.

[RalphReedsWreckedEm]

2. Exactly. Runaway White Bride? How 'bout a book deal?

White woman who gets kidnapped by a black man? How much do you want?

Black woman who goes missing? Well, uh, don't call us, we'll call you.

[expatriate]

3. SARCASM AHEAD: Elderly person goes missing?

No media coverage beyond a mention on the local news. After all, they must have just wandered away because of Alzheimers, they all have it, you know. Just as well, they're just a burden on themselves and everyone else. Get off the planet, Grandpa, we need the room.

Person of any minority goes missing? Maybe some local coverage - certainly no mass media frenzy. CNN sure doesn't cover it. Couldn't care less. What is the underlying sentiment there - just as well that another one is gone?

White male goes missing - I can't remember the last time I saw news coverage of that. Same for black males - or any males, unless it's a cute white toddler. Males go missing more than any other group - but no news coverage when they do.

But if a good looking blonde white girl or young woman goes missing - zowie, there might be sexual assault involved, and sex sells! Report it to death. And should that person be found alive - you know what the next question is going to be. That all important, "Was she RAPED?"

When these media frenzies get started, I remember what an old newspaper man told my husband when he was a new apprentice in the printing trade - "The most important thing to remember about the newspaper business is SELL NEWSPAPERS. Doesn't matter if what sells isn't the truth, or isn't news. SELL NEWSPAPERS." That has held over for electronic media as well. It really doesn't affect anyone but the individual and their family when someone goes missing, or if someone is found but was sexually assaulted - but our cultural morbidity loves to be fed the gruesome details about whether or not she was raped (or maybe raped and tortured). Oooh! News! Sex! News!

[NNN0LHI]

4. I enjoyed reading that. Thanks n/t

[Bouncy Ball]

5. I touched on this issue here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3877493&mesg_id=3877493

[Endangered Specie]

6. White, young, missing, and CUTE

4 main requirements.