This report aims to analyse how crime is covered by the media in Australia. To achieve this, it will explore how ‘ABC News’ reported the murder of Phil Walsh by his mentally disturbed and incompetent son, Cy Walsh, following years of a disconnected and troubled relationship. The report, titled “Cy Walsh: A thinker who struggled with mental illness”, broadcasted on the 28th September 2016, will explore the underlying explanation for the crime’s occurrence in 2015 and examine the prevalence of the crime of murder within Australia.
The report describes Cy as a “deeply disturbed young man” who had felt “enormous pressure” from his father, Phil, who was well-respected and successful in the sporting community. His ambivalent relationship with his
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‘Simplification’ (Bloustein and Israel 2009) was also present as the report was easy for readers to understand due to the chronological order of events. It was apparent who the victim and the portrayer of the crime were. The news value of ‘negativity and titillation’ (Bloustein and Israel 2009) was apparent within the violent nature of the crime. Evan’s crime news value of ‘context’ (2017) was evident as the death of Phil Walsh was a well-known event which captured the attention of the country. Consequently, the report was likely to receive the attention of readers who sought the information of the crime. The news value of ‘celebrity/high status persons’ (2017) was adopted throughout the report as Phil was known and respected in the sporting community, therefore, the report specifically attracted the attention of the members of this community. Evans news value of ‘violence’ (2017), similar to Chibnall’s news value of ‘negativity and titillation’, was evident in the violence of the crime (stabbing to