Changing coverage of domestic violence murders: A longitudinal experiment in participatory communication

Charlotte Ryan, Mike Anastario, Alfredo Dacunha

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)209-228
Number of pages20
JournalJournal of Interpersonal Violence
Volume21
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Domestic violence
  • Media coverage
  • Social movements
  • Source analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Applied Psychology

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