warning Hi, we've moved to USCANNENBERGMEDIA.COM. Visit us there!

Neon Tommy - Annenberg digital news

Steubenville Media Coverage Sparks Outcry

Lauren Madow |
March 18, 2013 | 3:30 p.m. PDT

Executive Producer

After two Steubenville, Ohio high school students were found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl, initial reporting on the verdict has drawn scathing criticism from several sides. 

CNN's coverage has drawn particular ire for its sympathetic take on the accused boys, Trent Mays, 17, and Ma'Lik Richmond, 16, each of whom received prison sentences. Mallory Ortberg of Gawker condemned the network's decision to "publicly worry about the 'promising future' of the convicted rapists, now less promising as a direct result of their choice to rape someone." 

ALSO SEE: Ohio Attorney General To Continue Investigating Steubenville Case

Stories similar to the Gawker piece appeared on the Washington PostPoynter, and the Huffington Post.

Thought Catalog pointed out similarities between a satirical video produced by The Onion in 2011 and actual coverage of the Steubenville case: 

For more Neon Tommy coverage of the Steubenville case, go here.

Reach Executive Producer Lauren Madow here. Follow her here.



 

Buzz

Craig Gillespie directed this true story about "the most daring rescue mission in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Watch USC Annenberg Media's live State of the Union recap and analysis here.