Some Say Missing Minority Cases Ignored

[deadparrot]

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 stress 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.

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 currently 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. "You're more likely to get coverage if you're attractive than if you're not."

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050615/ap_on_re_us/missing_people_race

[Branjor]

1. Sounds like a real sexist....

Can't even say women or girls. It's "chicks". Well, the blond white "chicks" may get more coverage, but they sure don't seem to get more respect.

[msanthrope]

3. I think he's being sarcastic, although it doesn't really read well....

But his essential point is correct---

Missing "women" per se do not get investigated. Go take a look at every single major serial killer case that involved prostitutes as victims. The MSM doesn't look for these women. Gary Ridgeway killed over 30 women before anybody got exercised over it. He went on to kill 48--that he admitted to.

But the MSM does look for "chicks". White, middle-class or above, attractive types. People who "shouldn't have anything bad happen to them." SARCASM

Pretty white people should not die painful deaths. News at 11.

[Teaser]

5. Please

His intent is clear. He's demeaning the coverage the creates the idea of "blonde chicks" and the idea that they are more valuable.

[AllyCat]

2. I was thinking about this today as CNN news reported Aruba

again today and the missing white girl. And I thought to myself, "self? I bet they wouldn't do this if she was black. Wonder how many missing people are black?".

Thanks for answering my question although I am sickened by the truth I feared.

[ls317]

4. Million Dollar Question

Can you name a recently missing black child that was seen on MSM??????

[bobbieinok]

6. weren't there many black boys killed in Atlanta some yrs ago.......and

it took a very long time for the story to become national news?????

[ls317]

13. True

The cases at least 25-30 victims was alledgely linked to Wayne Williams(Reported African American serial killer).
There has been some questions surrounding the case against him,some sad he was framed others didnt.That case was supposed to be reopened soon.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. National news

You know why it became national news, don't you? It wasn't because of the large number of missing black children, it was because the suspect was a black man! Supposedly, the media was kept at bay to prevent "racial tensions" in Atlanta. I was a child then and living right outside Atlanta. One the children's body was found not far from where we lived. It was very, very scary...even for white kids.

[ls317]

16. New Case

I can recently remember that some police chief or DA spoke of reopening the case. Because there is some doubt that Wayne Williams didn't have anything to do with the case at all. Yet someone else was involved

[Behind the Aegis]

17. I have heard that too.

I remember, not real well, because I was about 11, that the case was very shaky. I heard it was to be reopened for procedural errors, but I don't know on whose part. He may be involved, but he was not too bright, so I think there was something else going on.

[Karenina]

7. HALLO!

:hi:

[dissent1977]

8. Many Are Missing, Few Make the News

Erin Texeira, Associated Press
June 16, 2005 MISS0616


Most of the missing adults tracked by the FBI are men, and 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 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 stress 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.

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 currently tracked by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

More: http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/5459659.html

[NNN0LHI]

9. White, young, missing? You're on TV

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.

This is what I have suspected all along.

[mopinko]

10. yup, no one ever heard of the bradley sisters, did they?

http://www.homestead.com/thebradleysisters/

[alcibiades_mystery]

11. Mr. DeMille...I'm ready for my close-up

How any newsie executive or journalist can defend this practice with a straight face is a great mystery for science. It is just glaringly obvious that "starlet damsels" (white, upper middle class women) get selected out of the sad and vicious missing persons ocean for their star opportunity. Just makes a "better" story, see...the people are clamoring for it, asses in seats, and all.

Why it makes a "better" story, however, is a sad commentary on American society as a whole, rather than just on the media. But, of course, the media produces and reproduces American society through its irresponsible - and, frankly, stupid - approaches to subject matter. It's shameful, sure, but there is also something mildly comical in watching the newsies perform their role of "distraught" public.

[Zerex71]

12. Duh!

I could have told you that much.

[bunkerbuster1]

15. aka, the "Where the White Women At?" show

...as it's referred to over at atrios.

(Helps if you've seen Blazing Saddles.)