Annotated Bibliography

THE ALLISON BADEN-CLAY MURDER MYSTERY

Annotated Bibliography

Wolper, A. 2011, "Trial by Media", Editor & Publisher, vol. 144, no. 10, pp. 22-23,35.

Author, Allan Wolper, is a professor of journalism at Rutgers University, and the host of "Conversations with Allan Wolper" a podcast on WBGO.org, an NPR affiliate in the New York area. Wolper has won over 50 journalism prizes and his ethics columns in Editor & Publisher) have been honoured by The National Press Club and the New York chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (Wolper, 2011).  These accomplishments suggest that the author is both experienced and a reliable source on the topic of ‘professional media, journalism, and communication’ (the article appears to come from education, not pure opinion). Wolper’s journal article discusses the notion of ‘trial by media’ – a concept which focuses on professional media influencing the outcome of a legal case through the extensive coverage of an incident from one particular angle. Wolper presents the reader with many examples where ‘trial by media’ has been apparent.  Citing such cases, the author strengthens the credibility of the journal article and adds weight to his argument.  Despite such references, however, the strongly opinionated and biased viewpoint from which the article has been written cannot be ignored.

Unknown (Writer). (2012, May 21). Murder Twist [Visual News Report]. Brisbane: A Current Affair. Retrieved from http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8470880/murder-twist

The ‘Murder Twist’ report, broadcast by Channel Nine network’s ‘A Current Affair’ program, appears as an update on the murder case of Queensland mother, Allison Baden-Clay.  The report confirms the murder of Baden-Clay but states that no cause of death has yet been released.  The ‘investigation’ focuses on recent evidence that suggests that Gerard Baden-Clay, husband of the deceased, was having an affair with a work colleague whilst Allison was alive.  The report has been designed to encourage audiences to question the motives of the husband and his lover. An interview during the report delivers audiences the following line: “everyone has got a theory and everyone is playing this game of ‘murder mystery’.”  The report challenges the audience to ‘solve the mystery’.  The journalist goes on to state that “a mum of three young girls disappears, police say it’s murder and that her killer is someone that she knew.  Now a picture emerges of a marriage in turmoil.”  Footage is then shown of Gerard Baden-Clay entering a police station for questioning.  Interviews with members of the public highlight how the case affects ‘normal people’.  When partnered with the emotive music that is played throughout the report and the increasingly negative portrayals of Allison’s husband, Gerard, the intentions of ‘A Current Affair’ are clear.  Although the media text presents a factual report to its audience, the information is carefully selected to play on particular audience emotions in order to generate the desired reaction.  The source is heavily biased, unreliable as a primary source, and demonstrates ‘trial by media’ in action.

Baskin, B. (2012, May 21). Police continue inquiry into Allison Baden-Clay's murder despite having suspect. The Courier-Mail, p. 8.

Brooke Baskin, author of The Courier-Mail article, presents an accurate recount of the known information in the case of murdered mother of three, Allison Baden-Clay. The article is concise, contains neither bias nor opinion, and achieves its purpose – to inform its audience. Although no credentials or professional history can be found for the author, Baskin, her employment at The Courier-Mail and publication of her article suggests that the information is accurate and reliable.  This article corroborates with the A Current Affair report to an extent, but does not share its opinionated view and accusatory angle.  The article does not promote the ‘trial by media’ concept but supports the position of professional media, communication, and journalism within society.

Davies, L. (2012, May 5). Friend of murdered woman laments: 'She told me things, I should have done more'. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/national/friend-of-murdered-woman-laments-she-told-me-things-i-should-have-done-more-20120504-1y489.html

Looking deeper into the increasingly complicated murder of Allison Baden-Clay, Lisa Davies, author of The Sydney Morning Herald article, presents a gossip-styled article stating that “behind the manicured lawns of Brisbane’s western suburbs, the locals can’t stop talking.”  The article begins emotionless – looking at the insidious events of the past month with nothing more than superficial interest and the possibility of ‘juicy gossip’.  “It’s an irresistible topic, murder. But it usually happens somewhere else, to people not from around here,” Davies’ writes.  The author has manipulated quotes from Allison’s close friends in an attempt to draw in readers (the title, for example, is taken out of context).  Like the video report by A Current Affair, Davies’ article places focus on the likelihood of the police naming husband, Gerard Baden-Clay, as a suspect. “Officers have refused to rule out anyone as a suspect....... While detectives are publicly keeping their options open about a suspect as one of her closest loved ones, Mr Baden-Clay is automatically under scrutiny”, she reports.  A greater emphasis is placed on highlighting Gerard Baden-Clay’s behaviour before the discovery of his wife’s body.  He is described as “a bundle of hand-wringing nerves, tears not quite visible”.  The bias and intended angle is obvious is Lisa Davies’ article.  All professional media texts corroborate with one another, in spite of differing authors, mediums, and news organisations.  The intentions of the media is clear, and they are supported by Allen Wolper’s academic journal article.   Despite negative connotations surrounding the accuracy, legitimacy, and reliability of modern journalism, a common angle amongst mediums cannot be ignored. 

Reference List

Baskin, B. (2012, May 21). Police continue inquiry into Allison Baden-Clay's murder despite having suspect. The Courier-Mail, p. 8.

Davies, L. (2012, May 5). Friend of murdered woman laments: 'She told me things, I should have done more'. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from 

http://www.smh.com.au/national/friend-of-murdered-woman-laments-she-told-me-things-i-should-have-done-more-20120504-1y489.html

Unknown (Writer). (2012, May 21). Murder Twist [Visual News Report]. Brisbane: A Current Affair. Retrieved from http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8470880/murder-twist

Wolper, A. 2011, "Trial by Media", Editor & Publisher, vol. 144, no. 10, pp. 22-23,35.

Factual Storytelling Exercise

Saudade.

It is unfortunate that I can have the most hilarious of evenings, be content and, on the odd occasion, happy; I can be in the company of my best friends or be simply distracted, and yet should I find myself awake after midnight, as if by clockwork, a great sense of sadness falls over me.  I cannot control it, I cannot stop it. 

It is more than a feeling, more than a creeping sense of loss.  It is an undeniable longing for things that have not been, things that never were, and things that used to be; for the past and present and future to collide and align in perfect harmony.  It is knowledge, ignorance, and understanding.  It is hope, and it is the absence of that very thing.  It is growing old at eighteen, it is unjustifiable exhaustion, it is love and hate and compassion and empathy, selfishness and selflessness.  It is the end of all things and the search for the promised open door. I call it saudade.

“Saudade is a Portuguese and Galician word for a feeling of nostalgic longing for something or someone that one was fond of and which has been lost. It often carries a fatalist tone and a repressed knowledge that the object of longing might never return. It was once described as ‘the love that remains’ or ‘the love that stays’ after someone is gone.” (source unknown)

Tales of loss and heart break are always the most difficult to tell. Tales of saudade are harder. 

When I was fifteen, I met a boy.
When I was sixteen, I fell in love.
When I was seventeen, he broke my heart.

Now, at eighteen years of age, I have a story to tell.

Most people can recall their first heart break – the pain, the rejection, the weeks of bad films and even worse music. A broken heart can often be overlooked, mocked, or ignored. Often, especially in young adults, it can last several weeks.

Mine sent me into a twelve month depression.

It is difficult to know where to begin, for my memory of the past year has melted inwards and the months can be recognised only by major events.  With this in mind, I shall start my story where all good romance novels refuse to go – the end.

There are three characters in my tale – the boy, I shall call him ‘J’; the friend, I will call her ‘S’; and myself. J and I had been friends since we were fifteen. It had begun as a light, school-girl crush (something I never admitted to at the time), and as opportunity allowed, we grew closer over the years.  We were friends, but everyone knew that it was more, and everyone was thrilled – we were the “people’s couple” so to speak. Comments were made by students and teachers alike, hinting that J and myself would inevitably become ‘an item’. After months of denying our feelings, it became official.  In the days that followed, the word “finally!” has never been so overused in the history of language.   

Many people will argue that love cannot be understood at such a young age – that the emotion involved is merely an imitation of the real thing and that it should not be toyed with. I believe, with all my heart, that at sixteen I was irrevocably, unconditionally, in love with J. He was my best friend, I trusted him completely, and I became the best possible version of myself during the months that we were together.

Introducing S.
S was one of my closest girl friends, and had been for many years.  We were two completely different people, and yet somehow, it worked. S and J were always friends. Very, very good friends. I need not explain the nature of the events which occurred throughout my relationship with J, but I was assured by both boyfriend and best friend that I need not worry about their alarmingly close friendship. I trusted them both to the ends of the Earth, and even after several occasions where my forgiveness was begged for, I accepted their stories.

I do not think that it is necessary for me to detail the fall out of a text-book love triangle – the film industry won’t let us forget what they are about, and so it will come as no surprise when I reveal that my relationship ended messily, and in the public eye.  I lost my boyfriend, my best friend, and my emotional stability in one conversation, and once again, everyone knew. S and J were together almost immediately.

I was in desperate need of space and time to compose myself and neither was ever offered.  J led me on an emotional rollercoaster that – confessing his love for me, then speaking of S and their ‘connection’.  After four months, my trust in people was shattered, my self esteem had never been so low, I had never been so disappointed, and eventually, exhaustion kicked in. 

In the midst of my personal dramas, my senior year was suffering.  My grades dropped across the board from ‘Very High Achievements’ to, in some cases, a standard fail. My teachers expressed their concerns, the distance that I had placed between my friends and I was nearly irreparable, and I lost control.  It was no longer possible for me to hide my condition and gradually, a small group of people began to notice.  I stopped eating, I did not sleep, I refused to read or write – previously pastimes I had always adored.  I stopped playing sport, I found excuses to not attend friendly gatherings, and I was cruel to my immediate family.  After months of pain and rivers of tears, I opened up to my parents.  I have never felt so supported, so loved, and such relief than I did that evening. 

After spending two weeks at home to try and recuperate, I returned to school with a new resolve. I forgave S and J, I wished them all the happiness, and after accepting that the damage done by J would take years to heal, I began to rebuild my friendship with S.

I may be just eighteen years of age, but I have seen people change. I have seen sides to people I wish I had never witnessed, and my opinions and understandings of things have shifted along with them.  It has come to my notice, that high school sucks (surprise, surprise).  High school sucks, and heartbreak sucks, and every teenage cliché is true, but it only made finishing last year all that more of a relief.  I may have reached a stage in my life where I am past the drama and the lies and the immaturity, but I know understand that not everyone is here with me.  The people I relied on the most, at the end of the day, didn't turn out to be the people I believed them to be. I realised that to trust yourself with others at this age, both in a relationship and amongst friends, is to put your happiness in the hands of another.  It is foolish and naive and at eighteen, it isn't a risk that should be taken - no matter how much someone means to you.  Your happiness? Your emotional and mental state? It is yours.  To give that willingly to someone, is to hand away the only thing you can keep as your own, and at the end of the day, it isn't worth it.
Getting through your teenage years is hard. We all have our own dramas, we all go through different forms of pain, but we're meant to.  We have to.  If we can survive these years, our most vulnerable and impressionable years, and emerge decent people, then we've beaten the rest.  It's a learning curb.  All of it.


None of us are alone and it is always going to get better eventually. 

"Every person down there is ignoring your pain because they're too busy with their own." (Spike; Buffy The Vampire Slayer)

We're still teenagers, but we won't be forever.

Lecture 6

Commercial Media


Honeymoon period is over. Most definitely. In fact, we've completely skipped stage 2: comfort. Now we hate each other.  We have now reached the point in the Journalism relationship, where we argue every day, and pick at the petty points of our conversation. This is the beginning of the downhill spiral - the beginning of the end and the rocky bottom of our love affair.  Good luck to us both.

In week 6 of JOUR1111, we were taught about the nature of Commercial Media and its place in society.  Commercial media, at a glance, includes things such as:

• Channel Seven
• Channel Nine
• Channel Ten
• Foxtel
• AUSTAR
• News Limited
• Fairfax Media

Commercial media exists to make profit, and this can be done through movies (20th Century Fox), newspapers (The Australian, Quest Community Newspapers, and The Courier Mail), dating sites (RSVP.com), ticketek.com, ninemsn, magazines (Woman's Weekly, Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Woman's Day, etc.), radio stations (B105, Triple M), and search engines.

"The first duty [of the media] is to shun the temptations of monopoly. Its primary office is the gathering of news. At the peril of its soul it must see that the supply is not tainted. Neither in what it gives, nor in what it does not give, nor in the mode of presentation must the unclouded face of truth suffer wrong. Comment is free, but facts are sacred."C.P. Scott (Editor / Owner of The Guardian)

The lecture addressed the control that the major commercial media organisations have over what us, as consumers, are exposed to, and the legal and ethical obligations that they have on their path to control.

I was most interested in the information about internet censorship and the extent to which it goes.  Censorship is not a new concept, but it was surprising to hear its scope within Australian media (the possibility of Dr. Redman's website being mistake for a porn site was fairly entertaining in itself).

The parallel's drawn between the quality of stories shown on commercial media new programs (such as A Current Affair, and Today Tonight) twenty years ago and today was particularly poignant. The idea of 'dumbing down' the news is an obvious ploy in commercial media today and can be seen in a multitude of outlets.  Commercial news is rarely addressed to the curious individual, and I would go as far as to say that it is 'lazy' news, and addresses mediocre issues with cheap stories.

Lecture 5

Week 5 of JOUR1111 offered students a chance to listen to radio veteran, Richard Fidler, from ABC's Conversation Hour, speak about his experiences on radio. Richard explained the delicate nature of radio language and the intricate details of conversation that must be observed when speaking to particular guests. Richard explains how important it is to ensure that a radio guest feels at home and comfortable in an interview in order to get them to 'open up', and mentioned the true power of silence.

Steve Austin, the sound lecture's seconds guest, discussed his early life and how he fell into radio.  Steve mentions the importance of reflecting a radio audience's interests - and not just your own.  Steve's opinions of radio conversation mirror Richard Fidler's almost exactly, and both men highlighted the necessity of a good vocabulary and handle on the English language.  Speaking for radio is unlike all other mediums, and offers a more intimate experience to the audience.

Both Richard Fidler and Steve Austin commented on the growing success of radio and it's ability to adapt to new and local mediums (such as podcasting and twitter feeds).  This flexibility may be key to the survival of the radio.

Richard Fidler

Steve Austin

Lecture 4

Picture Stories

John F. Kennedy’s Funeral: Rare and Unpublished Photos

Read more: http://life.time.com/history/john-f-kennedys-funeral-rare-and-unpublished-photos/#ixzz1sVxDGr1V

John F. Kennedy's flag-draped casket lies in state in Washington, D.C., November 1963

John F. Kennedy's flag-draped casket lies in state in Washington, D.C., November 1963

Wife. Mother. Niece. Three generations wait outside St. Matthew's for procession to cemetery. Behind Mrs. Kennedy stands the President's mother. Sydney Lawford, daughter of Kennedy's sister Pat, is at rear.

John F. Kennedy's cortege leaves the White House, November 1963

Young Kennedys prepare to leave the White House for John F. Kennedy's funeral, November 25, 1963

A horse-drawn caisson bears the body of President John F. Kennedy into Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963

With the sound of creaking wheels and clattering hoofs breaking the silence, the President's caisson entered Arlington Cemetery, passed the graves of American war heroes and headed toward the burial spot on a grassy hill which looks over the Potomac.

John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963

Robert Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy and Edward Kennedy at John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963

A Widow's Thanks. Pausing for a moment after the graveside service with Robert Kennedy, who was ever at her side, Jacqueline Kennedy had a word of thanks for Bishop Philip Hannan (left), who spoke at the funeral, and other Catholic prelates who had taken part in the services.

As taps sounded, [French] President de Gaulle and [Ethiopian] Emperor Haile Selassie saluted the grave.

Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert Kennedy at John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963.

John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963.

Jacqueline Kennedy and Robert Kennedy at John F. Kennedy's funeral, Arlington Cemetery, November 25, 1963.

More info at Life.com

Lecture 3

What is Text?


Falling early within the honeymoon phase of this JOUR1111 relationship, was a lecture presented by guest lecturer Skye Doherty.  Ms Doherty addressed the confines of text, how it can be structured, its many different forms, and how it can be used. Particularly addressed were the inverted pyramid (structure), and how news can be presented.  Comparisons were shown between online international newspaper 'The Sun' and writers newspaper 'World News' and  their use of the five W's and H (Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How), and organisation of information. It was apparent throughout the lecture that the way text is used to tell a story is vital to the way that the story is received.

Structure of a news story

The above image highlights the complexity of the news story structure and the importance of certain texts - wording , images, and links. Ms Doherty demonstrated how powerful the different types of texts can be and the things that are required in order to gain readers immediately after publication.

The interaction available through social networking sites can also have an effect on the published story. Once something is published, it is permanently saved into the system. The importance of a correct publication was stressed after Ms Doherty explained that "you only get one chance.......if it's wrong, then it's wrong forever. The first publication is the one that gets indexed by the search engines and stays online".

Metadata, excerpts, and tags were also discussed.  Each are vital to the success of the article as they promote the publication and will allow search engines to access the story easily.

The correct use of text is fundamental to the creation of an accurate, successful news story.

My journalism relationship now understands the importance of the things I say and the way I express them - everything counts, and everything is heard.

Lecture 2

'New News'


Week 2 of my love affair lay the foundations of my University 'knowledge bank'. We were introduced to the concept of 'new media' and shown the differences between Web 1.0, Web 2.0, and the revolutionary Web 3.0.  The features of each edition showed the evolution of the media, including the success of the Web and the major focus of each stage.


Web 1.0 - The First Real Boyfriend
The birth of the internet and general media was a fairly simple system.  As a very advertising friendly platform, Web 1.0 (the information web) focuses mainly on serving companies and providing information to all users when required.  HowStuffWorks defines Web 1.0 in three ways:

• Web 1.0 sites are static.
• Web 1.0 sites aren't interactive.
• Web 1.0 applications aren't proprietary.

Put simply, Web 1.0 can be liked to the awkward first relationship. You learn from this relationship, you understand the what makes a relationship and the basics of the dynamic. HowStuffWorks explains that "they contain information that might be useful, but there's no reason for a visitor to return to the site [partner] later." Web 1.0 is kind, and generous, and wants to make you happy, but at the end of the day, you may decide that you need something more complicated, something with dimension, something powerful, and if you're honest with yourself, you're just not the same person you were when you met Web 1.0 in the beginning.


Web 2.0 - The First Heartbreak
After parting with Web 1.0 as friends and promising to call, a friend-of-a-friend introduces you to the new resident in town. They're modern, and exciting, and have experience beyond their years; they claim to have friends all over the world and are quite the social butterfly - it's love at first sight. Web 2.0, the social web, can be seen in the introduction of networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MSN, Skype, tumblr, Flikr, Instagram, and YouTube. Webopedia states that "Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online." Web 2.0 is attractive, is friends with everyone, and always keeps you entertained; but slowly, eventually, it begins to put a strain on the relationship.  Suddenly, Web 2.0 is everywhere and spending time with everyone and it grows gradually harder to see Web 2.0 as much as you'd like to. It was a beautiful relationship, and you learned how to interact and open up to others, but you just don't feel as though you're getting enough attention. Heartbroken, but with mutual understanding, you decide to move on to something better.


(Axel Burn's lecture "Anyone Can Edit: From Users to Prod-Users" can be found here.)


Web 3.0 - True Love
Web 2.0 was an amazing experience, and you will continue to use the lessons you learnt from your relationship in day-to-day activities and social interactions.  It is not long afterwards, however, that you catch wind of the latest heart-throb - Web 3.0.  Web 3.0 is known as the Semantic Web - it makes sense of information and focuses on the individuals rather than the masses. This is what you have been waiting for! With Web 3.0, you are guaranteed one-on-one time and all the attention you could ever ask for. This is true love, this is revolutionary, this relationship will go down in history! Web 3.0 is tailored to your very needs, pays attention to your likes and dislikes - your most viewed websites, or your favourite searches. Web 3.0 asks to be altered, to grow, to be shared - your new love is evident in your brand new smart phone, iPad, or website application.  Everything is your way and besides a degree of ignorance and lack of general knowledge, you find it difficult to fault Web 3.0. They are your future.

The evolution of modern media certainly is an interesting story, and poses many questions regarding the future of journalism - with the introduction of Web 3.0 and newspaper pay walls, journalists may struggle to gain funding for big investigative pieces and additional research outlets.  Only time will tell.

DISCLAIMER: If readers find romantic attraction developing towards the World Wide Web, please seek psychological assistance. It isn't healthy.