عنوان

Serial killing and celebrity :

Number

TLets695293

Title Proper

Serial killing and celebrity :

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Tolputt, Harriet A.

Title Proper by Another Author

the importance of victim narrative in crime news reporting and its effect on the families of multiple homicide victims

Subsequent Statement of Responsibility

Wilson, D.

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

Birmingham City University

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2016

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

Birmingham City University

Text preceding or following the note

2016

Text of Note

Serial murder and celebrity go hand-in-hand. Newspapers, films, books - both fact and fiction - and television programmes all illustrate the public's fascination with crime. Academics are no exception. However, it is the killers themselves who are usually the stars, both in research and fiction. This thesis argues that it is the victims and their families that propel the narrative and are the real storytellers. This research explores the complex nature of the relationship between the families and the media, and how the relatives coped with being under the media spotlight. It also details how the victims' narrative contributed to the increased media attention and what benefits this might bring. Using thematic analysis, informed by grounded theory and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the thesis concludes that, counter to public perception, the relationship between victim families and the media is not purely extractive and is in fact mutually beneficial. Interviews with ten people who lost relatives to serial murder show that journalists provide a role as a quasitherapist, and reveal how families manipulate the media in a way similar to seasoned public relations professionals. While themes involving negative interactions were expected, it was noted that there were also positives for families affected by serial murder engaging with the media.

L300 Sociology

M200 Law by Topic

P500 Journalism

Tolputt, Harriet A.

Wilson, D.

Birmingham City University

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y