Hyperlinking as gatekeeping: Online newspaper coverage of the execution of an American terrorist

Daniela V. Dimitrova, Colleen Connolly-Ahern, Andrew Paul Williams, Lynda Lee Kaid, Amanda Reid

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

95 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study focuses on the online coverage of American terrorist Timothy McVeigh's execution on the websites of the top 15 print newspapers cited by Columbia Journalism Review as the "Best American Newspapers." Using content analysis, the study compares the 15 newspapers' websites by measuring the number, destination, and characteristics of hyperlinks that accompany these stories. The results suggest that online newspapers use hyperlinks as a gatekeeping device because they are unlikely to offer external hyperlinks. The study also shows that online newspapers are not taking advantage of multimedia and interactivity on the Web.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)401-414
Number of pages14
JournalJournalism Studies
Volume4
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Communication

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