The "shock culture" vulture Frank Sesno outlined several elements that contribute to the decline of media ethics; it's based on the "shock culture" of delivering the news.

Sesno used the Duke Lacrosse scandal as a perfect example of what's plaguing the news: Reporting the most salacious story (even if it lacks facts) or delivering the most sensational story (even though the truth has not been verified).

Sesno said that Duke was a lot like the Richard Jewell scenario; the accusers became the victims of salacious news reporting.

In both scenarios, there was an individual (or individuals) being accused and tried through the media. And in both cases, once the "facts" were scrutinized and determine the accusers were not the guilty party as the news headlines suggested.

Sesno says that the media has adopted a "shock culture" mentality. It's all about what can stir the senses. He views the biggest fundamental challenge in news reporting as "staying true to the issues:" Politically and generally.

Sesno says the "ethical failure" in news reporting is harping on an issue with sensational images and salacious headlines. I had to agree with Sesno's analysis about the news cycle effect. He believes that a story plays out much like a Hollywood movie: A protagonist (prosecutor trying to find justice for a rape victim), an antagonist(s) (a group of privilege college "jock" boys) and a juicy plot line (the jock boys rape of a minority girl).

Just like a Hollywood movie, this guarantees a large audience.

Sesno gave a great lecture; however, I think his admonishes about how the media is not doing or getting it right should be given to the journalism community and not to journalism students.  ¶ posted by Anonymous at 10:51 PM •