Monday's news that an in the 1996 murder of six-year-old JonBenet Ramsey puts the spotlight squarely on the role played by the tabloid media. Unfortunately, in this case, the tabloid media included the mainstream media.
For a decade, one story after another kept this minor murder case at the front of the news, with most of the stories including accusations that implicated JonBenet's mother and father, John and Patsy Ramsey, in the death. Some articles even featured speculation that her brother may have been involved.
For years, while major stories were overlooked, this was played out at the top of the news. Why? Undoubtedly, because it involved a blonde beauty queen who, of course, was extremely photogenic.
This formula has been repeated in other cases which perhaps should have been of minor interest, but ended up being blown all out of proportion. The Scott Peterson case is the first one to come to mind.
But the Ramsey case was different in that it included a rush to judgment for 10 years of people who were never charged, and as it turns out, were completely innocent. Their lives, which were already severely damaged by the loss of a six-year-old daughter, were completely ruined by the continued glare of a media spotlight that should have dimmed long ago.
That glare undoubtedly contributed to the death of Patsy Ramsey earlier this year.
It should teach a lesson to the media, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting to see any changes in how they conduct their day-to-day business.
7 comments:
I personally find it odd that the national news headline and lead story on at least one local media outlet yesterday was echoing that an arrest had been made in the Jon Bonet Ramsey case. There is and has been a fascination with this case.
Information in the this age of technology can be accessed by even the novice web surfer. There is an abundance of information on this case; where would you rather be in jail...Thailand or the US? Karr, it has been reported, had a irresistible interest in the Ramsey case. He more than likely culled pages and pages of websites.
Michael Tracey, a British documentary film maker and photo journalist professor from the University of Colorado, was in contact with Karr via email. The correspondence continued for a period of time. Patsy Ramsey, prior to her death, had supposedly been in email contact with Karr also. Tracey has been involved in numerous documentaries on the Ramsey case. He has another film and is trying (again) to shop another book on the subject. The first documentary aired contained a number of inaccuracies. This whole relationship between Karr and Tracey is bizarre.
I do not believe there will ever be a conviction. The Boulder Police Department botched this investigation from the minute they stepped on the Ramsey property. Other than the DNA, there more than likely isn't evidence that has been held back. The truth is always better than the book.
LineeB
It's interesting you think the media over-covered this story, Randy (and I agree), and yet it sits atop your blog, too.
Maybe you should practice what you preach and ignore this crap as well.
Karr hasnt been convicted yet -- practice what you preach.
I join many of you in believing this case has been over-reported since the get go.
But from the reports I've heard today, specifically his ex-wife stating he was with her in Alabama at the time of the incident, I am extremely skeptical that this is the person who killed the girl.
Okay Randy this once I disagree with you. You say they the Ramsey's are now innocent.....the jury is still out on that for me. For years I have believed the brother did it and the mom helped cover it up so as not to lose two of her children. I still do not believe the Ramseys are innocent in any way, although understand they could be. Have you ever thought that Karr could have information given to him by someone involved in the case? I have. I think this is a rich family looking for a scapegoat and may even be willing to pay for that scapegoats testimony. What would that do for him since he would never be able to see the money? He would be able to help his children. Just my opinion.
Yes, I may have jumped the gun on that; such is the danger of instant punditry and I, of all people, should have known better. On the other hand, I will stick by what I said about the media coverage. The JonBenet Ramsey story was never worth a fraction of the nationwide coverage it received. And to see it headlined above far more important (and far more interesting) stories nearly 10 years after it happened was extremely irritating. It belongs in the back of the newspapers and the end of the newscasts.
This case is far from over. I don't think there is evidence leaning towards either side. This new guy is too fishy. Talking about drugging her and raping her, neither which is supported by evidence. I think he was an obsessed JonBenet "fan" that wants attention for his book. But why confess to something that will put you on death row.
As far as the brother doing it that is feasible. Her bedroom was down the hall from the parents. They didn't hear anything. And that house is a maze. Whoever did it and had been there before.
I am waiting to see what the DNA results are from his swab and the scrapings under her fingernails and too see if his alibi stands up. If he was in Alabama on 12-26 like his ex-wife says there will be evidence of that; Christmas video, photos, etc. If that comes to light it is over. And the scrapings are obviously not the brothers. The DNA would have shown that her and the perp were related.
As far as the media coverage, yes it was overblown. But isn't everything these days? What I didn't like was the media and the public telling the Ramseys how to feel, how to grieve, how to respond to the media. That just isnt't right.
On top of that the police was leaking info to the media about their refusal to cooperate and other little tidbits that made the Ramseys look guilty as sin. That just isn't right.
As long as there is an appetite for news like this from the public, the media will be glad to accommodate them.
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