Wake Up Mainstream Media!
The purpose of the Wake Up Mainstream Media campaign is to urge the media to step up in regards to the coverage of missing blacks. With this campaign, we hope to draw a generate a strong response in order to represent an often forgotten population. We aim for around the clock coverage – constant coverage until that person is found by sending Black and Missing flyers via email and fax to different newspapers, newstations and radio stations around the US.
We want you all involved in on this so stay tuned for more information!
April 12, 2010: Monica Renee Bowie (ongoing)
http://blog.blackandmissing.org/2010/04/09/wake-up-mainstream-media-campaign-monica-renee-bowie-atl/
http://blog.blackandmissing.org/2010/04/12/wake-up-mainstream-media-monica-renee-bowie-day-one/
http://blog.blackandmissing.org/2010/04/13/wake-up-mainstream-media-monica-renee-bowie-day-two/
http://blog.blackandmissing.org/2010/04/14/wake-up-mainstream-media-monica-renee-bowie-day-three/
View Poster
Case Handled By:
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
JANEE NICOLE ASHLEY Age Progression
Case Type: Endangered Runaway
DOB: Feb 22, 1988 Sex: Female
Missing Date: May 19, 2003 Race: Black
Age Now: 22 Height: 5’4″ (163 cm)
Missing City: GRAND RAPIDS Weight: 135 lbs (61 kg)
Missing State : MI Hair Color: Black
Missing Country: United States Eye Color: Brown
Case Number: NCMC1085499
Circumstances: Janee’s photo is shown age-progressed to 19 years. She was last seen on May 19, 2003. Janee’s nickname is Nae.
IMHO, it’s not that blond & blue eyed get all the attention, it’s just that there’s a sensational story behind that particular missing child. The news media goes after what sells & what grabs attention of their audience. If a black child is missing & thats all the information you have…no witness, no suspects, no nothing, then how are they supposed to fill up an hour time slot talking about a child that is just missing? Other than what they look like, what they were wearing & last location, what else are they supposed to talk about for an hour? Just keep repeating the same exact little bit of information they already spoke about? Any missing child is a horrific experience for everyone involved, but if there’s no story that goes with the child, there’s no exposure either. I think there should be a special channel constantly putting up pictures w any information. Rotating the pictures 24/7.
Laura,
I respecfully disagree with your comment. The same information is generally available in all these cases. Sometimes the HYPE of the media is what creates a story with white children. You stated typically there are no witnesses, no suspects and just a physical description. Presently there is a missing child in Florida- Haleigh Cummings. When the child was first reported missing there were 1) no suspects, 2) no witnesses 3) not even a description of what she was wearing. The media hype gardered national attention which has led to mass searches and public interest. Her parents and grandparents have been on national news shows for months! So yes they can find ways to fill air space.
I do agree there should be a channel and a section in the newspaper (even online editions) that includes ALL missing children for that area or those who are suspected to be in the area.