RUNNING HEAD: Governor Ryan

The Content Surrounding the Story of

Governor George Ryan of Illinois

The details of one specific news story, the pardoning or commuting to life sentences all of those of death row in Illinois by departing Gov. Ryan, are considered to constitute that which makes the story newsworthy in its own right. Although this is accepted as a general principle in the media subculture, we will examine numerous different media outlets in order to focus on their ideas of newsworthy details that surround one specific news story. With this in mind, an analysis of these news media presentations will show us the different details that are focused on these several outlets as they relate to the criminal justice system. Specifically, we will examine the surrounding story involving Governor George Ryan of Illinois and his decision to grant clemency to all inmates who were presently awaiting execution on death row. In this analysis, the focus will be on the main issues and trends that each news media source highlights, the presentation of the support or refutation of Governor Ryan’s critics, and lastly, the depth of the level of analysis that the sources embark upon in their coverage of the story.

Within this analysis, 20 news sources were thoroughly examined. Of this sample population, 15 print media sources were explored along with 2 television media sources and 3 Internet exclusive media outlets as well. In the sub-sample of print media sources, 10 newspaper sources were examined, along with 1 magazine.

To begin, the common issues that are presented throughout numerous sources should be noted and discussed. It was discovered that the majority of the news sources chose to report on a very specific detail. This detail was the number of inmates that were directly affected by the decision of clemency by Governor Ryan.

Throughout the process of reporting the exact statistics of the number of inmates whose lives were instantly spared by this executive decision, many differing presentations have been discovered. It has been noted that many different ways to present statistics are apparent with this story. First, 8 of the sources provided that 167 inmates were granted clemency, with no additional statistical figures offered (“Prosecutors”, 2003, Dennis, 2003, Dizon, 2003, Jerome, 2003, Johnson, 2003, King, 2003, Pandell, 2003, Shapiro, 2003). Next, 3 sources stated that 156 inmates were handed commutated sentences while 11 inmates were granted clemency that had been convicted of capital murder cases, but not yet sent to death row (Howlett, 2003, Sohnen, 2003, Trouw, 2003). In addition to these statistics, one source provided a detailed description of the affected inmates with a comprehensive explanation that involved both the 167 figure as well as the more detailed 156 commutated sentences and 11 cases of clemency (Bedingfield, 2003). Three of the sources did not provide a numerical statistic at all (“Lawsuit”, 2003, Mills and Possley, 2003, Shapiro, 2003). One source described the affected inmates by means of 167 men that were directly involved, as well as 3 women that were directly related to the situation by receiving clemency for their sentences (Goodman, 2003). Lastly, 4 sources stated that “more that 170” inmates were affected by the Governor’s decision (Roy, 2003, Wilgoren, 2003a, Wilgoren, 2003b). After this common statistical knowledge was presented in each specific news source, other pertinent issues were brought to the forefront as each story presented its own personal characteristics to make it unique, regardless of the fact that each story was about the same event.

One of the main issues that each news source that reaches into their coverage of this historical event is the clarity of Governor Ryan’s decision through the quotation of his personal words. This would not seem like an extraordinary feat of news reporting except that after examination of these numerous sources, it is noticed that the quotations provided of Governor Ryan’s words all seem to differ from one source to another. In all likelihood, if an event of such proportions were to occur and a national statement made by an individual that were directly related to the event itself, his words would be recorded similarly throughout all surrounding sources of media. It is discovered in this analysis, that this is not the case. It was discovered that many quotations are very similar, yet they manage to differ in minute aspects. For instance, according to Bruce Shapiro (2003) of The Nation, Ryan said, “It was the most emotional experience I have ever been through in my life.”. On the other hand, according to Steve Mills and Maurice Possley (2003) of the Chicago Tribune, on a full-page spread, Ryan stated “It’s the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life.” Although these quotations are not exactly alike we can assume that they are referring to the same issue at hand, (the decision to grant clemency to the death row inmates). One has to wonder if they are meant to be completely different quotations or if the journalists seemingly interpreted Ryan’s words with their discretion.

To compound this argument, one has to note the presentation of two additional quotations provided by Governor Ryan’s quotations. First, in two unrelated news sources, one of Ryan’s statements was presented exactly the same. As Governor Ryan stated: “Our capital system is haunted by the demon of error”, his words were recorded with precise accuracy by both Ellen Goodman of the Boston Globe (2003) and Bruce Shapiro of The Nation (2003), respectively.

In addition to this citation of Ryan’s words, Malcolm Johnson of The Hartford Courant (2003) and Michael King of The Austin Chronicle (2003) both quoted Ryan as describing the death penalty as “arbitrary and capricious, and therefore immoral”. These exactly matching citations show support for idea that some journalists may interpret a public figure’s words with less than acute precision, possibly a subject to look at further in further research.

Continuing with main issues of focus, we will move onto the uncommon issues that were discovered throughout examination. First, it was discovered that few sources provided coverage of the pending lawsuit that Governor Ryan has been involved in for the majority of his Gubernatorial career. For instance, Richard Jerome of People Magazine briefly described the circumstances surrounding the legal battle Governor Ryan has been dealing with for a large part of his recent past (2003). Another example of uncommon issues brought into focus by the news sources was the surrounding stories of the inmates that were exonerated completely. Both People Magazine (Jerome, 2003) and The Chicago Tribune (Coen and Bush, 2003) did discuss one inmate in particular, Aaron Paterson. Lastly, one source provided an alternate viewpoint of the decision to commute the sentences of the inmates. Jan Dennis of The Associated Press provided a comprehensive piece from the perception of the head of the Department of Corrections spokesman for the state of Illinois (2003). This piece took an altogether different viewpoint of the subject chosen for analysis and offered an insight that no other news source chose to depict by describing the reorganization of the prison system after a decision that directly impacted the placement of the 170+ inmates that were affected by this decision.

Concluding the common trends seen throughout the new sources and their presentation of this particular story, it must be noted that Governor Ryan was referred to as “courageous in his actions” by numerous journalists. Many of these journalists presented arguments both for and against Governor Ryan’s decision, but throughout the evaluation, he was continually referred to as exemplifying traits of courage throughout his stance on the death penalty and its surrounding circumstances.

After the common trends have been evaluated, an interesting similarity in the presentation of this news story from different perspectives must be discussed. This is the tremendous opposition to Governor Ryan’s decision that is repeatedly covered in the majority of the news sources. For example, one source states that: “Ryan’s decision was hailed by death penalty opponents, but prosecutors and families of victims were outraged” (Howlett, 2003). This would naturally be the direct effect of such a controversial decision that refers to a divisive population when discussion of capital punishment breaks out and these news sources were sure to capture these feelings precisely. In addition to this example, one source even provided the information that Ryan’s wife was even opposed to his decision (Wilgoren, 2003). The majority of the news sources presented a neutral stance on the controversiality of the issue, offering the strong support of Ryan’s decision, as well as the side offering their complete disapproval of the same decision. This extensive coverage was not offered as we look at the next target of our analysis.

Here we look at the depth of coverage one story in particular has to offer. In order to establish a measure to the term “depth”, a story that included background information on Ryan and the reason’s for his decision earned a level of considerable “depth”. From here it must be recognized that Fox News Channel has qualified as a news outlet that provided an adequate depth of analysis when coverage of Ryan’s decision was covered. Fox News offered the opinion of a Columbia Professor, raised questions of why Ryan made this decision and explored all possible avenues for this decision while examining background information that was relative to the situation (Sohnen, 2003). In addition to this recognition, it must be noted that a very small proportion of the print news sources offered this depth of analysis in their coverage.

In our analysis we have discovered many trends in the coverage of one story that are seen throughout many different news sources. Each of these sources offers similar information regarding a common story, all with a specific intention in mind. It is quite interesting to compare each source and the manner in which they present relative material while recognizing the differences each one has to offer to the target audience. It is also seen that according to the specific media source in question, each one presents a specific story with different statistics and facts that they feel are more newsworthy than others. Further ideas regarding the information that news sources present as newsworthy surrounding a single event may offer explanations to the reasons such items are chosen to be reported, rather than others.

References

Bedingfield, S. (Executive Editor). (2003, February 2). CNN Headline News [Television Broadcast]. New York: CNN News Channel.

Coen, J. and Bush, R. (2003 January, 12). After years behind bars: “It’s a dream come true”. Chicago Tribune, pp. 1, 14.

Dennis, J. (2003, February 2). Death rows emptying at Illinois Prisons. The Associated Press. Retrieved February 17, 2003, from http://www.dailysouthtown.com.

Dizon, N.Z. (2003, February 2). Ryan’s generosity on clemency reaches beyond death row. The Associated Press. Retrieved February 17, 2003, from http://www.dailysouthtown.com.

Goodman, E. (2003, February 21). Nuts: Curing Prisoner to execute him. The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?

Howlett, D. (2003, January, 14). Ill. Governor wants new execution laws. USA Today, p.3A

Jerome, R. (2003, January 27). Tough Call. People. 91-92.

Johnson, M. (2003, February 21). Dead Man Acting. The Hartford Courant. Retrieved February 21, 2003 from http://www.ctnow.com/entertainment

King, M. (2003, February 21). We’re No. 1. The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues

Lawsuit Filed Against Former Gov. Ryan. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://www.hoinews.com/news/headlines/212671.html.

Mills, S. and Possley, M. (2003 January, 12). Decision Day for 156 Inmates. Chicago Tribune, pp. 1, 16.

Pandell, J.C. (2003, February 21). Locked and Loaded. The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://www.dailynorthwestern.com/vnews

Prosecutors to review nearly 100 murder convictions. (2003 February, 19). Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://www.indystar.com/data/wire/out/0219ap_nli333p009.html.

Roy, Y. (2003, February 21). State keeps executions on shelf. Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://www.poughkeepsie journal.com/today/localnews.

Shapiro, B. (2003, January 16). Ryan’s Courage. The Nation. Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://www.thenation.com/doc

Shapiro, B. (2000, December 21). A Talk with Governor George Ryan. The Nation. Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://www.thenation.com/doc.

Sohnen, A. (Executive Producer). (2003, January 18). Fox News Hour [Television Broadcast]. New York: Fox News Channel.

Trouw, (2003, January 20). National Investigation of death penalty needed [Letter to the editor]. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune, p.10A

Wilgoren, J. (2003a, February 7). After sweeping Clemency order, Ex-Gov. Ryan is a Celebrity. The New York Times. Retrieved February 21, 2003, from http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/07/politics

Wilgoren, J. (2003b, January 15). An Eight-Year-Old Marriage Begins. The New York Times, p. A15.