Reporting from the Whites of Their Eyes: How Whiteness as Neoliberalism Promotes Racism in the News Coverage of "all Lives Matter"

Publication Date

2-1-2020

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Communication Theory

Volume

30

Issue

1

DOI

10.1093/ct/qtz019

First Page

21

Last Page

40

Abstract

This study evaluates how "all lives matter" (ALM) has advanced Whiteness in the news. Critical race theory's critique of liberalism's embrace of race-neutral racism is applied to the journalistic practice of objectivity. Racialized reporting is considered "fair" through the race-neutral journalistic practice of objectivity that mystifies the Whiteness of the news industry. Neoliberalism, a project of liberalism, creates structural racism that impacts society and the newsroom, where regulatory changes help to vertically integrate the media market. This media oligarchy threatens democratic principles, distorts racial reality, and advances Whiteness and its supremacy. Critical discourse analysis method was used on select, major, U.S. newspapers to reveal ALM's three discursive strategies: (a) co-optation of Black social justice work; (b) fear of Black power or "blue"/police power; and (c) equating ALM with White power. Theoretical significance reflects that Whiteness as neoliberalism owns all, is all, and flattens all differences. The recommendation for resistance is color-conscious, intersectional journalism.

Keywords

All Lives Matter, Critical Race Theory, Liberalism, Neoliberalism, News Media, Objectivity, Vertical Integration, Whiteness

Department

Justice Studies

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