In Michelle Ciulla Lipkin’s interview with Amanda Knox, a statement made by Mrs. Knox resonated with me. Amanda Knox recounted her experience with the media when she was placed center stage during her roommate’s murder investigation. One of her statements expressed how the media latches on to a particular element of a story. The media then, with a narrow focus, will run with just that piece.
Knox went on to explain that the media knows what gets the most attention sells. At the time of her story, sex, betrayal, and violence were selling newspapers. Stories like these got even more attention when they involved women. Knox provided the enlightened conclusion that viewers tell the media what they want to consume by engaging in specific stories.
In 2007, Amanda Knox was arrested for her alleged involvement in her roommate’s murder. The headlines were filled with her being the “Promiscuous Man-Eater Foxy Knoxy.” Sex-related stories were the hottest selling stories during that year. In the top 17 celebrity headlines, most of them involved troubled women. A few examples include:
- Britney Spears made headlines for her public meltdowns. The media portrayed Spears as a “hypersexualized schoolgirl” and led to her becoming visually distraught during interviews.
- Lindsay Lohan was in the headlines for her constant trips to rehab.
- Mischa Barton was arrested for a DUI.
- Anna Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose.
- Vanessa Hudgens had nude photos posted online.
- 16-year-old Jamie Lyn Spears announced her first pregnancy.
With headlines full of stories regarding troubled female celebrities, all involving sex, violence, and addiction, it is no wonder why the media sexualized Amanda Knox’s story. She was right in her assessment of the media. The media will deliver what gets attention and what sells.
A Canadian scientific journal examined nearly 1200 articles involving female offenders. The journal concluded that female-related crime narratives contained disparaging language depicting women as “cunning or sexualized objects.” This kind of language is still used in headlines today because people are attracted to sexually driven content. In 2012, advertisements containing sexual content rose 27%. In 2021, ads displaying people “making out” are seeing increased click-through rates of 165%.
Advertisers appear to be capitalizing on the public being affection starved from the pandemic. Hopefully, news outlets will not follow suit in light of their history of providing the headlines consumers want to see. Thankfully, Amanda Knox and other famous women created the series, The Scarlet Letter Reports. The series highlights women portrayed as “sexual villains” in the media and the ensuing public shaming. I look forward to the series drawing attention to a much-needed topic.
Check out the very informative interview with Amanda Knox.
