You're Welcome, Internet! A web-based diaristic overture presented by Cosmo Comics and Josh Rose

Reports of My Death Are Greatly Exonerated…

So, I was up late last night when the sad news of Ted Kennedy's passing away hit the newsfeeds.  Almost twenty-four hours later, and as my wife mentioned the overview of Kennedy's life that NPR offered (adding how surprised she was - as was I when she told me - how many key works of legislation he had spearheaded), it got me wondering how his death was being reported.  On a whim, I went to three sites to check out the homepage headlines: NPR, the New York Times, and Fox News.  I chose those three because NPR is often viewed as leaning towards the left, the Gray Lady is ostensibly as mediated as possible, and Fox News is, well, you know.  Their guns pried from their cold, dead fingers and all of that (apologies to Charlton Heston).

Here is what I found:

SAMPLE #1: NPR:

I was not surprised, after my wife's discussion the coverage she heard on our local NPR station, to find NPR's headlines focused more on Kennedy the man: his life and his impact.  Note the photograph chosen: chin upright, held by hand...this is Kennedy the statesman.

SAMPLE #2:  The New York Times:

The Gray Lady takes a more even-handed approach, as expected, perhaps.  On the left is a headline noting the void left in the Senate by Kennedy's death, and the questions raised by whom might possibly be his successor.  Beneath the photo his a headline about Kennedy the person, determined to live out his remaining days filled with life and verve, an idea wonderfully supported by the photograph of Kennedy sailing - personable, fun, smiling.  Beneath this is a link to the Times' obit on Kennedy, fulfilling much of the same role as that offered by NPR.

SAMPLE #3:  Fox News:

Sure, the tiny links beneath the photo and eye-catching headline offer an overview of Kennedy and his legacy ("Kennedy Through the Years") and, oddly, a statement from Obama's doctor about his high quality of life (I haven't read this particular link, but the choice of taking a statement from Kennedy's doctor smacks of the healthcare debate...I could be wrong though, and simply assuming too much, I confess).  Yet, the large, bold headline does not offer a tribute to Kennedy the man...fine...but instead drums up the chance that his Democratic senatorial seat may be taken by a Republican (see Romney at the top of the replacement short-list?).  And, as I am always inclined to focus on and (probably) over read the choice of images, a photo of Kennedy casually gesticulating, hand raised, as if...waving goodbye?  Sheesh.  Really, Fox News?  Pedantic much?

So, yeah, I figured this is what I would find on each of the sites.  And full disclosure, as I am sure this comes as no surprise to anyone, I am a fan of NPR and read the NY Times almost daily (albeit mostly for the arts reporting).  But as interested as I am in not only how editorial mandates translate as news, but in particular, how images evoke and crystallize such views dramatically, these three pictures on three separate news homepage sites is really, really telling.