Reporters looking for insight and research around the phenomena of “missing white woman syndrome,” please see comments from Syracuse University professor of communications Carol Liebler of the Newhouse School.
“Missing white woman syndrome” is a term that refers to the practice of news media focusing exclusively on the missing person cases of white women. This is not to say these cases are not newsworthy but rather that similar cases of Black, Latino and Indigenous men and women get overlooked or not given the same sort of intense coverage.
Liebler, who has studied this issue and has commented on it as early as the Jon Benet Ramsey case, says that “missing white woman syndrome” or MWWS, is nothing new and it is time to start delving deeper into the factors that cause it.
“The news media have once again ‘discovered’ the MWWS following criticism of their saturation coverage of Gabby Petito. We should not be satisfied with this self-reflection, as it’s happened before after other similar cases,” said Lielber.
“The causes for MWWS are complex and reflective of dominant ideologies of white supremacy and beauty ideals. It’s not just that Gabby Petito was white: She was young, thin, fit, blond. In other words, she fit societal definitions of beauty,” said Liebler.
“News media are extremely reliant on law enforcement in covering missing people. My research shows that police, not journalists, are the real gatekeepers in determining which missing people media pay attention to,” said Liebler. “Racial and misogynistic biases in police work are then reflected in what missing person cases are communicated to news media. Families are often shut out because news media rely on official sources.”
To schedule an interview with Professor Liebler, please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, director of media relations, at ejmbuqe@syr.edu or 412-496-0551.
College of Law alumnus Brian J. Gerling is the new executive director of the Innovation Law Center (ILC). Gerling, who brings nearly two decades of intellectual property and commercial litigation experience to the role, takes the helm from M. Jack…
Students in the new media management master’s program at the Newhouse School now have the opportunity to learn and work with one of the country’s leading technology and digital media gurus. Shelly Palmer, CEO of The Palmer Group, is joining…
Joseph Strasser ’53, G’58, H’20 was just 8 years old in 1940 when he and his brother escaped Nazi persecution on a Kindertransport rescue boat. Two years earlier, the Third Reich had annexed their home country, Austria. Their father, Paul,…
Opportunity is defined as a situation that makes it possible to do something you want to do. For Henrietta “Etta” Fielek ’70, G’77, the opportunity to attend her dream school—Syracuse University—was made possible by scholarship support and financial aid. Now,…
The Maxwell School announced three new O’Hanley Faculty Scholars: Saba Siddiki, associate professor of public administration and international affairs; Martin Shanguhyia, associate professor of history; and Chris Faricy, associate professor of political science. Each was selected for outstanding teaching, scholarship…
If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.
