Introduction
This essay examines how agenda setting theory, a framework explaining the media’s role in shaping public priorities, reinforces racialised and gendered hierarchies in crime representation. Specifically, it focuses on the phenomenon of “Missing White Woman Syndrome” (MWWS), where media disproportionately covers cases of missing white women while neglecting similar cases involving people of colour or men. The essay explores how agenda setting perpetuates inequality by prioritising certain narratives, marginalising others, and sustaining systemic biases. Key points include the theoretical underpinnings of agenda setting, its intersection with race and gender in crime reporting, and the broader implications for societal perceptions of crime and victimhood. Through this analysis, the essay aims to uncover how media practices contribute to unequal representations of crime and reinforce existing power structures.
Agenda Setting Theory and Media Influence
Agenda setting theory, first articulated by McCombs and Shaw (1972), posits that the media does not tell people what to think, but rather what to think about. By selectively highlighting certain issues, the media influences public attention and shapes perceptions of importance. In the context of crime reporting, this means that the media’s choice of stories—whether through frequency, placement, or framing—directly impacts which crimes and victims are deemed significant. Indeed, the theory suggests a cyclical relationship where media agendas influence public concern, which in turn reinforces media focus on specific topics. This selective coverage often aligns with societal norms and values, frequently prioritising stories that resonate with dominant groups (McCombs, 2004). As such, agenda setting becomes a mechanism through which biases—particularly racial and gendered ones—are perpetuated.
Missing White Woman Syndrome: A Case of Racial and Gendered Bias
Missing White Woman Syndrome exemplifies how agenda setting reinforces inequality in crime representation. The term describes the disproportionate media attention given to cases of missing or murdered white women compared to similar cases involving women of colour, men, or other marginalised groups. Research by Sommers (2016) highlights that white female victims often receive extensive coverage, framed as innocent and deserving of sympathy, while cases involving Black or Indigenous women are underreported or portrayed through stereotypes of culpability. For instance, high-profile cases like that of Natalee Holloway in 2005 garnered international attention, whereas countless missing Indigenous women in North America receive minimal coverage, despite higher victimisation rates (Sommers, 2016). This disparity reflects a racialised and gendered hierarchy where white femininity is idealised, aligning with cultural notions of vulnerability and worthiness of protection. Consequently, agenda setting by media outlets reinforces societal biases by amplifying certain victims’ stories while rendering others invisible.
Perpetuating Inequality Through Media Narratives
The implications of MWWS extend beyond individual cases, shaping broader perceptions of crime and victimhood. By consistently prioritising white female victims, the media perpetuates a narrative that crime against this demographic is more tragic or urgent, subtly devaluing the experiences of others. As Entman and Rojecki (2000) argue, such selective framing contributes to racial stereotyping, with Black victims often depicted as less sympathetic or even complicit in their victimisation. Furthermore, gendered hierarchies are reinforced as women—particularly white women—are framed as needing protection, while men, especially men of colour, are often portrayed as perpetrators rather than victims. This skewed representation influences public policy and resource allocation, with law enforcement and community responses often mirroring media priorities. Therefore, agenda setting not only reflects but also entrenches systemic inequalities by shaping whose suffering is deemed worthy of attention.
Conclusion
In conclusion, agenda setting theory plays a pivotal role in reinforcing racialised and gendered hierarchies through crime representation, as exemplified by Missing White Woman Syndrome. By selectively highlighting cases of white female victims, the media perpetuates a narrative that marginalises other groups, sustaining systemic biases in public perception and policy. This essay has demonstrated how media agendas prioritise certain stories, aligning with societal values that idealise white femininity while neglecting the experiences of people of colour and men. The implications are significant, as unequal representation influences not only individual cases but also broader attitudes towards crime and victimhood. Ultimately, addressing these disparities requires a critical examination of media practices and a commitment to more equitable coverage, challenging the hierarchies embedded in agenda setting.
References
- Entman, R. M. and Rojecki, A. (2000) The Black Image in the White Mind: Media and Race in America. University of Chicago Press.
- McCombs, M. E. (2004) Setting the Agenda: The Mass Media and Public Opinion. Polity Press.
- McCombs, M. E. and Shaw, D. L. (1972) The Agenda-Setting Function of Mass Media. Public Opinion Quarterly, 36(2), pp. 176-187.
- Sommers, Z. (2016) Missing White Woman Syndrome: An Empirical Analysis of Race and Gender Disparities in Online News Coverage of Missing Persons. Journal of Criminal Justice and Popular Culture, 18(2), pp. 61-75.
