Local TV News and the Death Penalty: Social Construction of a Nebraska Execution

Authors

Jeremy Harris Lipschultz, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow
Michael L. Hilt, University of Nebraska at OmahaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Winter 1998

Publication Title

Feedback

Volume

39

Issue

1

First Page

21

Last Page

30

Abstract

This paper focused on the September 2, 1994 execution of Harold Lamont "Walkin' Willie" Otey. Coverage of the execution by the four Omaha, Nebraska television stations was examined. The Otey execution is seen from a social construction of reality perspective. The television portrayal of a confrontation on the night of the execution between supporters and Opponents of capital punishment is seen as a mediated view of what happened that night. The public image of the death penalty as appropriate justice is seen as influenced by media coverage.

Recommended Citation

Lipschultz, Jeremy Harris and Hilt, Michael L., "Local TV News and the Death Penalty: Social Construction of a Nebraska Execution" (1998). Communication Faculty Publications. 53.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/commfacpub/53