The Princess and the Paparazzi: Blame,Responsibility,and the Media's Role in the Death of Diana

Abstract

This case study examines mainstream newspaper editorials' discussion of the role, responsibility, and ethics of the media in the death of the Princess of Wales. Using attribution theory, it concludes that the newspapers dealt with criticism of the media in the case in several ways. First, they distanced themselves from the photographers who chased her car before it crashed; second, they blamed those outside the media, including Diana herself; and third, they acknowledged some responsibility.