WZZM 13 “Over Sensationalized the Story”

Analysis:

This story is an interesting example of a reporter appearing to be engaged in journalism, but in reality uncovering nothing. In the two minutes of this story, the reporter fails to get a single statement from the crime suspect she is posing questions to. Each question that the reporter asks is followed by a voice over that makes the question seem more dramatic than it was. For example, after the reporter shoves a microphone in the lawyer’s face and the lawyer pushes it away, the voice over describes the lawyer as “aggressive.” Ironically, the reporter ends the story by noting that the lawyer said that “the media has over sensationalized the story.”

Story:

Anchor #1 – Police say all the evidence points to Tim Dawson, The Sparta man has not been charged with murdering his wife, but police say it will happen soon. In the meantime, Dawson is a free man, and WZZM’s Kathy Reynolds caught up with him in court—Kathy?

Reporter – Well, Lee, Timothy Dawson has always avoided our questions. When his wife disappeared, he refused to talk to us; when she was found dead, he said nothing. But today he had to show up in court, and we were determined to get his side of the story.

Reporter(in Hallway outside the courtroom) – Tim Dawson, did you murder your wife?

Lawyer – Don’t be ridiculous. (Grabs microphone away from Dawson’s face)

Reporter – What…wha…don’t touch me, ma’am!

Reporter (voiceover) – He was silent, she was aggressive. Dawson’s lawyer didn’t want to answer questions, but so many had to be asked.

Reporter (Walking down hallway) – Why did you try to commit suicide?

Reporter (voiceover) – Police say Dawson tried to kill himself after he was named the number one and only suspect in the murder of his wife Julia last year.

Reporter(Walking down hallway) – How did you feel about Julia? How’s it feel to be the police’s only suspect? They say they’re getting close to arresting you, how do you feel about that?

Lawyer (Grabbing the microphone) – They said that seven and a half weeks ago and they haven’t done a damn thing about it.

Reporter (voiceover) – Into a closed courtroom they went, where Dawson was supposed to fight for the custody of his two children from a previous marriage, a marriage to this woman, Amy Hinkley. Hinkley’s lawyer had planned to call on forensics expert Anton Tolemanto testify.

Lawyer #2 – He was going to basically support our position that, given all of the stressors in Mr. Dawson’s life at this time, which are many, that we should be concerned about the safety of the children.

Reporter – But Toleman never took the stand. Dawson disappeared, telling his lawyer he’s relinquishing the rights to his kids a shock to Amy Hinkley and Julie Dawson’s family. They’d come to give Amy support…to get some answers. Tim Dawson’s lawyer finally gave some.

Reporter (Walking down hallway) – Excuse me, did Tim murder his wife?

Lawyer – No.

Reporter – Then tell us, why do you think police suspect him then?

Lawyer – I have no idea, they won’t tell me…they wouldn’t answer any of my questions on cross-examination.

Reporter – Dawson’s lawyer is accusing the Sparta police of harassing her client. She also says the media has over sensationalized the story. Live in the newsroom, I’m Kathy Reynolds, WZZM 13 News.

Total time: 2 minutes, 6 seconds