FRAMING THE SHOOTER - THE GLOBE AND THE STREETS

This article concerns the extensive news coverage by the leading Bosto n newspaper, the Boston Globe, given a double homicide of two African- American boys. These two boys were killed, ostensibly following a disp ute with a juvenile street gang, in April 1991. By examining the shift ing focus of this coverage over time, the article examines how the loc al understanding of street violence was framed by the Massachusetts de bate over juvenile justice, in particular newly amended state legislat ion which tipped the scales towards treating juvenile offenders as adu lts. Considered here are the Globe's attempt to both orchestrate and s tand for 'civic debate' by entertaining and absorbing rival voices in its representational protocols.