Date of Award:

5-1987

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Journalism and Communication

Department name when degree awarded

Communication

Committee Chair(s)

Deni Elliott

Committee

Deni Elliott

Committee

Jay Black

Committee

Gary Kiger

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to compare the newspaper coverage of crime victims in five mass murder cases covered by the Los Angeles Times over a 16-year period from 1969 to 1985. Specific cases studied included the 1969 Manson murders, the 1976 Cal State Fullerton murders, the 1977-78 Hillside Strangler serial murders, the 1984 San Ysidro McDonald's restaurant massacre and the 1985 Night Stalker serial killings. Coverage of each incident was analyzed, with particular attention paid to coverage of crime victims. Subtle but significant changes in the treatment of crime victims were reported. The Los Angeles Times was found to be a responsible and responsive newspaper and highly recommended as a model for other newspapers to follow in their treatment of crime victims.

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Communication Commons

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