Media in Today\'s World Appears to Be

¶ … media in today's world appears to be an important task for students wishing to grasp the finer points of video journalism. CNN.com, MSNBC.com and foxnews.com all provide a unique blend of internet and television opinion. The purpose of this essay is to examine the biggest breaking story of the moment through the lens of these three web sites. I will compare and contrast the differing elements that make these sites unique and separate.

The trial of American, Amanda Knox, has received much media attention within recent times. Her return to America from Italy after that country's court overturned her murder conviction appeared to be the story of the day on October 4, 2011. Three different news outlets presented this story with us some contrast and difference and provides the basis of this essay.

Greene (2011) reported the story for CNN.com. CNN seems to have the most objective and least emotional approach to this particular news story. Greene discussed not since situation without the player and typical overemotional pull that is seen in most of these types of stories. The story is linked to other similar reports about this trial in the past. There are various video links attached to the story as well that tell the story of Knox's family and Seattle and replays as the incredible scene of the overturning decision was read by the Italian judge.

Greens approach to this story highlights the details of the particular trial and specific information that is sometimes overlooked when the emotional content of the story is front and center. The story itself centers around lurid details about sexual and drug experiences that Knox and the victim were allegedly part of and participated in with another young gentleman who has been sentenced for this crime as well. The reporter on this story also gives some information about Knox's family in Seattle Washington. This commentary helps establish this report as giving all sides to the story and providing different viewpoints of the story that may be overlooked in other more flamboyant and emotional reports.

MSNBC.com presented this story which was written by the MSNBC.com staff and news service reports. The title of the article," Emotional pressure eases as Knox goes free," foretells this article's content as centered around the emotional reaction of Ms. Knox. Accompanying this article is a large picture of Ms. Knox and her family in an emotional and dramatic exchange full of tears and heartfelt emotion. The story also details how Knox was acquitted to doubt fueled by DNA evidence that was mishandled by the Italian authorities. It also includes some of the reactions that the Italians themselves were experiencing. Included in the story is a link entitled "apathetic Italians moved and are by verdict," to further this point the news outlet is trying to instill. Unlike the CNN.com report, another link is embedded within this article that discusses the victim's family's reaction. At the end of this article is a photo slideshow dictating the entire epic story in a visual manner. This approach by MSNBC tends to be more emotional than CNN.com and more sympathetic than other treatment from other media sources.