Media Coverage of Ferguson, Missouri: A Normative Approach

Abstract

This study seeks to examine media coverage of the Ferguson, Missouri racial tensions and police action following the grand jury decision, with a focus on stories which include religious leaders, religious comments, or those that take place in community churches or religious centers. Through a mixed-methods approach of critical discourse analysis and a normative analysis of the coverage, the research attempts to bring understanding of the role religion plays within the media, and provide suggestions as to how the media can cover religion more effectively not only during times of unrest, but on a more regular basis.