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Racist Undercurrents in the Mainstream Media's Coverage of Katrina
Laura Riggio
The mainstream media’s coverage of Katrina has been criticized by left wing blogs, the public, and political figures for using terms that reflect personal bias and often hint at racism. Public response to this media coverage has sparked debate over word choice and its effects on news.
A reoccurring but crucial part of this controversy is the use of the word “looting.” In two similar photographs taken by the Associated Press and Getty/AFP Images and posted on Yahoo News, Katrina victms wade in water holding food. However, the Getty/AFP Images caption describes two white residents as finding looting a grocery store whereas AP describes a young black man as looting a grocery store (Kinney).
Left wing blogs like the Daily Kos and Wonkette criticized AP’s caption for being racist (Kinney). Correspondents like Christine Pazzanese, of the Boston Globe, also question how a photographer can distinguish between finding and looting (Romenesko).
This debate outlines the difference and importance of word choice and how it can lead to accusations of racism or personal bias. Getty/AFP Images decided to use the word “finding” because of the extent of the tragedy, said spokeswoman Bridget Russel. However Jack Stokes, director of media relations for AP, defends its caption. He confirmed that photographer Dave Martin witnessed the person taking goods from the grocery store, explaining why he chose the term “looting” (Kinney).
Do situations dictate what word choice is appropriate or does it come to a moral standard? Scott Libin, managing editor of Poynter Online, writes in a post that a hurricane victim who needs food doesn’t deserve the same label as someone who breaks into a home to steal electronics (Libin).
Another example in this debate is criticism by political figures like President Bush and Rev. Jesse Jackson for using the term “refugee” when referring to evacuees. President Bush said that the word “refugees” shouldn’t be used because the people referred to are Americans. Jackson has said, “it is racist to call American citizens refugees” (Libin).
Ultimately this debate outlines how it is crucial for journalists to examine their reasoning and thought process to avoid stereotyping and personal bias. Newsrooms struggle with time constraints but it is important to articulate and explain different choices that could potentially lead to charges of stereotyping and even racism (Libin).
Serbino Sandifer-Walker, journalism professor at Texas State University and president of the Houston Association of Black Journalist told the Houston Chronicle that it’s unfair to paint people with one image. “That is the kind of reporting that is not representative of what the American press corps is all about” (McDaniel).
The American press is built upon a system of values and professional codes. However, even these professional codes deemed neutral and fair contain bias, but by recognizing it, journalists will be able to address the limitations and overcome them (McChesny, 68).
References
Kinney, Aaron. “’Looting’ or ‘Finding?’” Salon.com 28 Sept. 2007 <http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2005/09/01/ph oto_controversy/index.html>.
Libin, Scott. “Refugees, Riots, and Evacuees: Who decides?” Poynter Online. 2005 28 Sept. 2007 <http://www.poynter.org/colum.asp?id=688aid=88496>
McChesny, Robert W. The Problem of the Media. New York: Monthly Review Press, 2004. McDaniel, Mike. “Katrina’s Aftermath.” Houston Chronicle 19 Sept 2005, E1.
Romenesko, Jim. “’Found’ vs. ‘Looted.’” Poynter Online. 2005 <http://poynter.org/forum/view_post.asp?id=10186>.
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