“Lynch-Mob Journalism” vs. “Compelling Human Drama”: Editorial Responses to Coverage of the Pretrial Phase of the O.J. Simpson Case

Abstract

This case study uses attribution theory to analyze mainstream newspaper editorials concerning media conduct during the pre-trial phase of the O.J. Simpson murder case. Three major conclusions arise. First, many newspapers acknowledged poor, even unethical, coverage in general, without taking responsibility themselves. Second, while admitting problematic coverage in general, many of the editorials shifted blame to external causes, namely Simpson himself, the legal teams on both sides, others involved in the case, and even the public. Third, while some newspapers defended coverage, to do so they were forced to re-define that coverage as part of their watchdog role.