Dateline True Crime Essay

Olivia Weiss Dr. Phillips J397, Media Ethics March 15th, 2024 True Crime Final Analysis Throughout this quarter, I watched Dateline to connect the class concepts to media coverage of true crime. Dateline was the clear choice for this project, as it introduced me to the expansive world of true crime media. Growing up, my childhood best friend and I spent many hours, side by side, watching Dateline. We would make predictions, immerse ourselves in the stories of those in danger, and cringe as the gruesome story unfolded over the episode. Over the years, Dateline has continued to be an obscure source of comfort for me. At the click of a button or flip of a channel, the soothing voices of Keith Morrison and Lester Holt teleport me back to simpler

This constant consciousness of the lurking danger is unequivocally related to the disproportionate interest of women in true crime. White women dominate the landscape of true crime media, both in terms of audience and media coverage, due to both institutionalized and structural racism. The distorted subject coverage of Dateline serves as a prime example of the structural racism perpetuating the overwhelming whiteness of true crime media. Dateline disproportionately portrays brutal crimes where the victim is a young white woman. This recurring narrative is received well by the audience of primarily white women, who might find comfort in narratives they can relate to. This creates a vicious cycle of underrepresentation. This harmful narrative pattern is entrenched further by the institutional racism that sadly engulfs systems of power within the United States. The whiteness of the entertainment industry is apparent from the lack of diversity of true crime media. Lindsey Webb reflects on the whiteness of the true crime industry stating, “white people create the vast majority of true crime media, and the vast majority of true crime stories are told about white people"

This serves as another factor in the underrepresentation of people of color in crime. Although true crime media raises numerous ethical concerns, true crime as a distinct subject must maintain its autonomy from the flawed systems that are currently responsible for causing harm through negative sensationalism, the underrepresentation of people of color, and the exploitation of victims. When portrayed correctly, true crime media can be beneficial in understanding criminal behavior, examining flaws in the justice system, and paying respect to victims. To improve the current state of true crime media, true crime enthusiasts who seek change must refrain from engaging with harmful media as each view creates a greater demand. Instead, support true crime media that demonstrates integrity. Media that contains meaningful insights, a diverse representation of people, and treats victims respectfully. By supporting responsible media platforms, the true crime genre can become a more ethical and inclusive