PODCAST LINK- https://serialpodcast.org/season-one/1/the-alibi
The first season of Serial podcast, hosted by Sarah Koenig, investigates the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, a high school student in Baltimore, and the conviction of her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, for the crime. Koenig revisits the details of the case, including inconsistencies in witness testimonies, issues with Syed’s defense, and potential flaws in the investigation. Throughout the season, she examines whether Syed was wrongfully convicted, raising questions about the strength of the evidence and exploring alternative theories.
The podcast captivated listeners by blending investigative journalism with a compelling narrative style, keeping the mystery of Syed's guilt or innocence alive throughout. Koenig’s exploration of unreliable cellphone data, the motives of key witnesses, and overlooked details from the trial shed light on the complexities of the legal system and the nature of memory, leaving the audience divided on whether justice was truly served.
The team of people who worked to produce Serial are journalists who sought to tell a factual story. Do you agree? In this assignment, you are tasked to apply the elements from Kuehn and Lingwall (2018), chapter four, and apply it to your analysis of Serial.
In no less than 1,000 words total (about four pages), analyze the Serial podcast with the following discussion questions found at the end of chapter four. Your primary objective is to connect components of Serial to the learning outcomes in the textbook:
- Define and discuss objectivity. Is it possible for any reporter to ever be truly objective? If not, then what are some measures he or she can take to remain as objective as possible when covering a story? How did Serial apply objectivity to its journalistic approach in this story?
- Why do you think that truth and accuracy are listed first in the processional news writing standards in this chapter? What makes them the most important standards in journalism? From your perspective as a member of the audience, provide three examples from the podcast to show its devotion to truth and accuracy.
- What is the significance of the First Amendment to journalism as it is practiced in the United States? What does it mean for the media to act as a watchdog for the government? How did Serial exercise its rights to the First Amendment?
- Why is it essential for reporters to conduct background research on their stories before conducting interviews? How did Sarah Koenig do this in Serial?
- Considering the Professional Strategy Triangle, explain how the news situation and the news audience impact the reporting and interviewing process. Make connections to the Serial Podcast.
Requirements
Please be sure to follow these requirements:
- Adhere to the guidelines on the Assignment Format Guide webpage.
- Citations:
- Add a reference page at the end of your paper (this page does not count towards the four-page requirement).
- Reference at least one excerpt/quote from different episodes of Serial in your response to each question. Use the following citation format as an example (each episode will be different for each citation):
- Koenig, Sarah. (2014, October 3). The alibi (No. 1) [Audio podcast episode]. Serial Podcast. This American Life. https://serialpodcast.org/season-one/1/the-alibi
- Citation for the text:
- Kuehn, S. A., & Lingwall, A. (2016). The basics of media writing: A strategic approach. CQ Press