Who lost what? An analysis of myth,loss,and proximity in news coverage of the Steubenville rape

Abstract

This article extends previous research on the application of mythical news narratives in times of great community loss, death, or destruction by taking into account the role of perceived dominant news audiences. This article analyzes 6 months of coverage surrounding the 2012 rape of a 16-year-old girl by two teenage boys in Steubenville, Ohio. The article argues audience proximity to news events contributes to the mythical archetypes used to explain everyday life.

Keywords

Archetype audiences local news myth narrative proximity social media

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