Annotated Bibliography

Altmeppen, K.D, Arnold, K & Kössler, T. (2012). Are the media capable of fair reporting? Remarks on the principle of fairness in professional journalism. Justice and Conflicts, 6(1), 329-343.

     The authors of this book are currently all professors at German universities working in the departments of journalism or communication. Together they make a knowledgeable and experienced team as they discuss the concept of fairness in journalism. They analyse the role that fairness plays in media ethics and journalistic professionalism because without fairness, an unbiased account of a story is not guaranteed and this may also lead to other negative impacts. They particularly address the notion that news reporting should always be about fact not fiction – something that every reporter should keep in mind. Altmeppen, Arnold and Kössler also argue that journalism cannot always be fair to both the audience and the sources at the same time because it is unable to cope with all the varying perspectives of a society so, ironically, in various circumstances “journalism can only be fair when it is unfair” (Altmeppen, Arnold & Kössler, 2012). They reflect on how independent journalism should be able to reflect the diverseness of the media whilst significantly using many citations throughout the chapter which adds much credibility to the writing of the authors. The ideologies that the authors bring to mind widely acknowledge and affectively address the values and ethics a journalist has or should have.

King, M. (2012, May 5). Questions add to pain for Gerard Baden-Clay over tragic and unsolved murder of wife Allison. The Courier Mail, p.9. Retrieved from: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/questions-add-to-pain-for-gerard-baden-clay-over-tragic-and-unsolved-murder-of-wife-allison/story-e6frerdf-1226347438707

     Madonna King, the author of this piece, brings a great deal of experience and expertise to this story, being an award-winning journalist, commentator and author. Having a career in newspapers spanning more than 20 years with a focus on crime and politics, she gives this story an edge, painting the victim’s husband, Gerard Baden-Clay, in a guilty light. She opens with two questions that any person would immediately think of when questioning the actions of Gerard. These questions are crucial in developing King’s opinion as they encourage the reader to think the way she has when writing the story. She then goes on to describe what the victim’s family and friends have done and effectively relates this back to the lack of action and emotion of the husband. King clearly acknowledges that he does not have to answer to her, making her appear fairer and not as judgemental to the reader. But she strongly concludes that these questions must be answered when asked by his children in the future. The way she concludes the story makes the reader feel empathy for the children and, perhaps, dislike for the husband – successfully reinforcing her view on the topic.

Police seize evidence in search for missing woman. (2012, April 26). Channel 9 News. Retrieved from: http://au.video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A8tUwXBELrtPZGIAZXw25gt.;_ylu=X3oDMTBsZG9sa2NlBHBvcwMxMwRzbGsDcmVzBHNlYwNzcg--?n=35&ei=utf-8&fr=news_sb_hd&fr2=piv-news&tnr=35&c=12&p=allison+baden-clay&vid=da500d4d4cdd6d69c2562ad0528a5365&dt=1335429000&l=93&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts3.mm.bing.net%2Fvideos%2Fthumbnail.aspx%3Fq%3D5000862912544950%26id%3D005ebcec60c8f2e168e228934d88e8f3%26bid%3D72LGcI%252ftoWDpiw%26bn%3DThumb%26url%3Dhttp%253a%252f%252fvideo.au.msn.com%252fwatch%252fvideo%252fpolice-seize-evidence-in-search-for-missing-woman%252fxoix7a1&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.au.msn.com%2Fwatch%2Fvideo%2Fpolice-seize-evidence-in-search-for-missing-woman%2Fxoix7a1&tit=Police+seize+evidence+in+search+for+missing+woman&sigr=12tjjam2a&newfp=1

     Channel 9 reporters present a detailed story about the murder and investigation of Allison Baden-Clay. It begins with reporter, Amelia Adams, who introduces the story and then passes onto crime reporter, Alyshia Gates. Gates, a journalist for 12 years, has spent most of her career working with police and as a court reporter with a continued focus on crime. She has covered several high profile stories, including the brutal triple murder in Toowoomba in 2005 and it appears that she uses her knowledge and experience in this area in covering this story. Gates begins the story by stating that evidence has been seized for the investigation. She then brings to attention the fact that a close female friend of the victim’s husband was questioned. Although she puts an emphasis on the friend being female, she does not linger on it therefore not fully insinuating that she was perhaps, a past lover and/or a current suspect. Gates keeps the audience well informed on what detectives and police have been doing while Adams asks relevant questions. Gates’ extensive experience in crime reporting ensured that she gave a solid update on the investigation while giving the audience the most current and relevant details without making obvious negative assumptions about the victim’s husband’s female friend.

Davies, L. (2012, May 5). Friend of murdered woman laments: “She told me things, I should have done more”. The Age. Retrieved from: http://www.theage.com.au/national/friend-of-murdered-woman-laments-she-told-me-things-i-should-have-done-more-20120504-1y489.html

     The author, Lisa Davies, brings a fair sided approach to this story. Rather than painting the husband in a guilty light as many other writers and television networks have done, she instead discusses this murder of Allison Baden-Clay in an informing, non-judgemental manner. Currently the crime editor for various newspapers at Fairfax Media, and previously being the Chief Court Reporter at The Daily Telegraph, it would be fair to say that she brings a significant amount of experience to her job and to her writing. Davies uses her crime writing and court reporting experience to write a fair, unbiased account of the murder and the events that ensued. Beginning by setting the scene and describing the victim, her family and lifestyle, Davies then integrates a quote from the victim’s husband that describes his current situation. She then accurately summarises the night of the murder and how and when the victim’s body was discovered and what detectives have been doing and stating to the public. Although Davies writes that the victim’s husband may be a suspect, she does so in a way that does not paint him guilty. Davies concludes the story with quotes from the victim’s parents and best friend and ends on an optimistic note, writing about the detectives’ efforts and their progress in the case and leaves the reader with a fair and informative perspective on the murder case.