Reporting Data For Cycle 1: Reporting Synopsis and Summaries

1. Newspaper Articles:

When I was tracking the Jerry Sandusky case through newspaper Articles, there was a fruit-like cycle to the reporting. As the verdict was coming to be announced, articles were posted speculating what the verdict would be and about all the victims that were coming forward. When the verdict of "Guilty" was reached, lengthy articles were being posted around the clock about it along with details about the trial and Sandusky's effective life sentence. After the trial, the articles focused more on the victims reactions to the trial, about Sandusky's son coming forward also, and about what this means for Joe Paterno's college football legacy.

2. Television:

When I was tracking the Sandusky trial through news clips, I noticed that the frequency of the story updates ramped up until the verdict was reached, and then gradually began to subside. Only significant developments and the occasional commentary were reported once Sandusky was pronounced guilty. The news reporters began with reporting on all the victims coming forward and hinting that there was no was Sandusky would get off scot-free. When this came to fruition, the news reporters covered the positive outcry from the public and Sandusky's son also coming forward after the trial. All in all, it was bittersweet reporting.

3. Blog Website:

I noticed that bloggers took a different approach to the case. There was less blogging about it before the verdict, and an onslaught of blog posts after the verdict. The bloggers I read were throwing harsh words at Sandusky and Penn State and speculating on what this would mean for Penn State football. There were also an outcry at the person wearing a "tickle monster" shirt and the person dressed as "pedobear" outside the courthouse. The bloggers first commented on the positive sides of the guilty verdict, then went into their negative ranting.

4. Social Media:

The social media sites were pretty consistent with their reporting. On CNN's Facebook and Twitter pages, they had constant yet consistent posts about the case, however these were usually just links to their articles. As their articles and news reports winded down, so did the social media activity.