The main argument of the article is based on prejudice in media coverage. The report illuminates the levels of ethics required in journalism. Using the case of Zimmerman and Trayvon Martin, the author elaborates on the impact of the media coverage on the killing of Trayvon Martin. The author is concerned that pitfall journalists often fall into making conclusions without sufficient facts. The article uses the Zimmerman case to show how a party may be disadvantaged by bias and distortion caused by lack factual support to journalists’ opinions. Despite the fact that Zimmerman was a volunteer watch captain and Martin an intruder though for unclear reasons raises concerns that would only be established through proper investigation. In the opposite, the media took on the case and embroidered it to suit racial discrimination against the blacks through their opinions with and intention of attracting public protest.
The article flashes back on the history of distortions of bias in media coverage mainly in the United States since the 1950s. History reveals many incidences of non-factual reporting especially in cases that took a racial dimension. Journalists taking perspectives that were primarily based on the obvious in media coverage was typical during the civil rights era. The effect of such coverage was tremendous despite belated apologies from certain media houses for misrepresentation of facts. The article points out on the extent to which disguised bias and distortion in media coverage may lead to injustice. The author has a feeling that the modern media fraternity still propagates the bias and distortion in their reporting and the problem of opinion journalists still ails the media.
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The media coverage of the Zimmerman and Martin case involved inaccuracies and contradicting information. Different initial stories were published without proper consideration of facts. The initial reports underestimated the reasons that would have led to Zimmerman shooting Martin who was an intruder claiming that there was quarrel before shooting or even fist fighting. The Miami Herald published report underestimated the age of the victim. The coverage took a racial dimension when it was reported that Zimmerman was white while Martin was black. The wave turned into a media tsunami when it was taken up by the journalists of color who related their situations of racial discrimination to that of Martin. The continued protest from the public demanding for action led to the arrest of Zimmerman who was a volunteer watch and held a licensed gun. It is clear that the initial errors such as underestimation of the age of the victim and the distortion of facts led to the arrest of Zimmerman who was later acquitted as not guilty. Zimmerman’s side of the story wasn’t covered. The media coverage of the Zimmerman and Martin was distorted in favor of Martin.
The media coverage of the Zimmerman and Martin case justifies the author’s claim that bias and distortion in modern society are alive and well. The Zimmerman case also elaborates the level of injustice that can be caused by irresponsibility on the side of journalists. Zimmerman passed through the gluing litigation process before acquittal while Sanford police Chief Bill Lee lost his job. The media is meant to speak for the voiceless based on facts established through thorough probe into the case to ensure justice. Journalists are not entitled to their opinions that may subvert the course of justice. The assumption that Zimmerman was in the wrong without proof or even history of the same was a breach of justice and unacceptable. Media coverage of high sensitive racial cases should thoroughly investigate and anchored on facts to avoid the fallacy of appeal to the obvious which makes it hard for the establishment of justice and suffering of innocent persons.
