Bibliographic details and abstracts are available to all. Downloads of full-text dissertations are restricted to University of Portsmouth members who must login. MPhils may be accessed by all.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate how social media and streamed media deal with discourse surrounding the genre of true crime. As the genre is continuously evolving, it is evidently clear that there is a gap in existing research in terms of how both media formats produce content. Furthermore, in hope to resolve this gap, the study will present a case study exploring Joe Berlinger’s docuseries Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes. This will analyse how conglomerate streaming companies such as Netflix have the ability to produce such content. Additionally, the study explores the legalities involved when producing content within the true crime genre. This is demonstrated through the Son of Sam Law and the New York State Crime Victims Board vs Simon & Schuster court case which revealed that producers can create content relating to a criminal as they are incapable of profiting off the crimes they committed. Moreover, this study will produce a qualitative study comprised of an ethnography and Robert V. Kozinets’ netnography. This will use a form of non-probability sampling called purposive sampling to conduct a direct observation of an online community dedicated to the true crime genre. The social media platform in question is Reddit. The findings of both studies will be compared and analysed to understand whether this sensationalism is morally and ethically ok to do so.

Course: Media and Digital Practice - BA - C2733S

Date Deposited: 2022-08-08

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13966.html