Multiple Frames

The debate is centered around the question of whether journalism can be fulfilled through the activist approach of avoiding objectivity and instead take a subjective standpoint where they incorporate their opinion in order to be transparent and advocate change. Within any news story, there is variation between the particular frame a journalist, or in this case an “activist journalist”, can take. In order to explore these multiple frames, a recent story within the Denver Area has sparked major controversy and a series of news stories in varied styles have been written related to the matter. A painting by a DPS high school student was displayed in the Wellington Webb Municipal Building, but it sparked such controversy that the Chief of Police, the superintendent of DPS and the mayor got involved thus leading to the student’s decision to take it down.

Traditional Source: The Washington Post (Link)

The traditional source took the conventional approach of remaining objective and giving the perspective of both sides of the story; the perspective of the student and the perspective of the Denver police Department who were the most upset about the painting. The headline “Student’s artwork showing police wearing KKK hood sparks debate” depicts a neutral perspective and simply tells what the who, what, when, where and why. In addition, the author provided the frustration the painting triggered for the police department but she also incorporated a quote by the artist, Michael D’Antuono, who served as inspiration to the student’s painting that said he was very disappointed “that the student was bullied into having the piece removed”. Therefore she gave an objective story without intentionally driving the reader one way or another.

Activist Source: Police the Law Enforcement Magazine (Link)

This particular outlet however, steered clear from remaining objective and expressed their opinion on the subject matter very openly. Given the magazine’s title “Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine” lets the reader know that the audience of this magazine are law enforcement officers therefore the frame will appeal to them. The story only provides quotes from the Fraternal Order of Police where they explain their outrage about the painting but they did not provide any information in regards to the student’s reasons or motivations. Clearly this site is advocating for a positive interpretation of contemporary police officers and do not want them to be depicted in a generalized, negative depiction.

Other Source: Westword (Link)

Westword, however has an adequate balance between writing this story in both a professional matter but also incorporates language that gives them the leverage to be transparent in their writing. The headline “KKK cop stirs sh*tstorm, student artist asks that it be taken down” has language with a hint of humor to highlight the major controversy a painting by a tenth grader who had no idea the amount of backlash she would face.