The Media's Attempt at Criminalizing the Victim
Fox News tweeted a headline for an article stating the discovery of marijuana found in Botham Jean’s Apartment in the aftermath of his death by the hands of Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger.
Jean’s family and attorneys reacted in outrage with the document describing drug evidence became public on the same day of his funeral. The warrant specifically sought fired cartridge casings, fired projectiles, firearms, keys, evidence of blood, video surveillance systems, and contraband such as narcotics and other items used in criminal offenses. The document fails to address whether all the items belonged to Jean or not.
This is a prime example of the media framing a victim to be the criminal. The media commonly and immediately decides to criminalize the victim of a police shooting as a result of misconceived beliefs or stereotypes. The stereotype that black men are violent drug abusers allows for the media and other outlets to frame a certain story or piece of information that alters the audience’s view of a victim.
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