Where to Draw the Line: News Coverage of Child Abuse

Abstract

Every day, news professionals are tasked with making quick, difficult decisions. This thesis provides an in-depth look into how television news directors and newspaper editors decide what to report on regarding child abuse. With the help of news professionals from Oklahoma and North and West Texas, this research answers three main questions: "Is identifying a child victim ever justified?" "How do news directors decide when to identify a child victim?" and "What ethical guidelines do television news directors or newspaper editors use when deciding whether to identify a child victim?" These three questions are answered with five major themes that arose from the interviews conducted: a). Do No Harm, b). Public Good, c). Age Affects Details, d). Social Media Effects, and e). Covering Child Abuse Ethically. This research study provides knowledge and understanding about the decision-making process of news professionals. This thesis gives insight to journalists, newsroom managers, educators, victims of child abuse and news consumers.