Author Date

2020-4

Degree Name

Department

Communications

College

Fine Arts and Communications

Defense Date

2020-02-26

Publication Date

2020-03-31

First Faculty Advisor

Dr. Kris Boyle

First Faculty Reader

Dr. Kevin John

Honors Coordinator

Dr. Clark Callahan

Keywords

news, pedophile, Catholic church, priest, cardinal bernard law, the boston pilot, the pilot, the boston globe, the globe, sexual abuse

Abstract

This thesis compares the reporting from The Boston Globe versus The Boston Pilot regarding the evolving story of sexual abuse perpetrated by Catholic clergy in 2002. Across all the articles, quotes from clergymen and victims, respectively, are counted, word choice and article placement are evaluated, and a ratio between staff articles versus articles from outside news organizations is created. Opinion editorials written by staff are also included in the analysis. All of these topics combine to determine the fairness, accuracy, and balance represented in the reporting of both publications.