Melissa Lopes

Abstract

Using textual analysis, this thesis studied newspaper coverage of the Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle murder trial and the 1919 World Series fix. It examined differences in how hometown papers (Chicago Daily Tribune and Los Angeles Times)and a national paper (New York Times)covered the scandals. It answered questions about coverage of a scandal within the entertainment industry versus one within the sports arena, and also explored how reports revealed standards of morality in the 1920s. Results showed subtle differences in hometown and national newspaper coverage, but vast differences in reports about the entertainment scandal versus the sports scandal. The research also found that citizens with a vested interest in the outcome of the scandals served as strong voices of morality.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Arbuckle, Roscoe, 1887-1933--Trials, litigation, etc.--Press coverage; Chicago White Sox (Baseball team)--History--Press coverage; World Series (Baseball) (1919)--Press coverage; Baseball--Corrupt practices--Press coverage; Content analysis (Communication); Ethics--History--20th century

Publication Date

3-8-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Department of Communication (CLA)

Advisor

Mandell, Hinda

Advisor/Committee Member

Murphy, William

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works in December 2013. A physical copy of the thesis is available from RIT's Wallace Library at P93 .G74 2013

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

COMMTCH-MS

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