Saturday brought news of another homicide in Peoria. The Journal Star reports that “Ronald J. Lewis Jr., 17, of 3418 W. Villa Ridge, died from a gunshot wound to the chest in the 200 block of Green Street.” Without taking anything away from the horror of this or other killings this year, I have an observation about how it’s being reported in the news.
I noticed that the Journal Star is reporting it as the eleventh homicide of 2007, whereas other news outlets like WHOI and WMBD-AM are reporting it as the tenth homicide. Why the discrepancy?
Well, the Journal Star actually explains later in their story. They say:
Among the 11 homicides in the city this year is the fatal shooting by police of a man armed with a gun when officers responded to a domestic disturbance call.
While the word “homicide” can be defined as a generic term for “killing,” it carries the connotation that the killing was done by a civilian, not law enforcement officers who are granted power by the state to use deadly force (unless the officer used such force unlawfully). It would be like including emergency vehicles in the statistics for moving violations because they go over the speed limit and run red lights. Or consider that the Journal Star doesn’t report the killings in Iraq as “homicides.” One would expect them to use the term consistently if they believed it to mean/imply nothing more than “killing.”
Just to give a little example of denotation versus connotation, I’ve deliberately chosen to title this post “Journal Star inflates homicide numbers.” After all, to “inflate” simply means to increase in size, right? But of course, there’s a negative connotation to that word as well. I’m being accurate, yet tacitly editorializing. One wonders whether the Journal Star is doing the same.
I noticed that as well and agree with you. What a bullsh!t move by the Star. This is just a shot at Ardis.
According to Journal Star archives, there was no 10th homicide. The last homicide, which was just a little over a week ago and well after the shooting on Stanley, is reported as the city’s 9th homicide
http://www.pjstar.com/php/index.php?/news/peoria_girlfriend_arrested_in_stabbing_death_of_29_year_old_man/
Give me a break. 10, 11, 12 murders in Peoria. After one murder there is something wrong. Unless you guys have an acceptable numberor something bitching about the total is nuts. PJS is reporting the news and they are doing it in a way to, get this, sell papers. Now whether you believe it or not, that is your opinion, don’t like it, don’t buy it. Is it time for another meeting or to form another committee? Other than that, what has the Mayor done? If Giuliani cleaned up NYC, then the Mayor should be able to get a handle on our crime.
By the way: Ardis promised to be tough on crime when he ran for the office. Of course he promised to get rid of the garbage fee too.
I don’t understand your beef. A homicide is the killing of a human by another human:
American Heritage Dictionary – Cite This Source
hom·i·cide (hÅm’Ä-sÄ«d’, hÅ’mÄ-) Pronunciation Key
n.
1. The killing of one person by another.
I guess you’re nitpicking because one of the homicides was justified, and the PJ Star didn’t acknowledge it in their inflated story (or did they?}.
I just find it interesting that someone who is lambasting another author’s use of words doesn’t seem to know what the word actually means. . . . Just an observation.
No, I take that back. You do acknowledge the actual meaning of the word; you simply choose to criticize its use, despite your knowledge that it’s been used properly. Yeah, I don’t understand your beef.
Now, if they had written 11 “murders” . . . well, that would be a different story.
– Bartman, a true Cubs fan
P.S. I know, I know . . . you’re saying the average Joe Citizen equates “homicide” with “murder.” Still, I can’t help my instinct to defend the hapless PJS when they write something accurate.
I’m not arguing whether it is or isn’t a homicide even though I don’t think it is.
What I’m arguing was before Ardis wrote his anti-media article, it wasn’t considered a homicide by the Star. After he wrote it, it is considered a homicide.
Just playing devil’s advocate here, but if the story goes something like this: “The 13th homicide in Peoria happened today when Bob Smith died after being stabbed in the chest. After a domestic quarrel, he chased his wife Jean around the house with a knife. When the fleeing Jean returned to the kitchen, she grabbed a turkey marinade injector stabbed him in the heart.” Now, by definition, it is a homicide. But, do you view it as a homicide? Or would you call it self defense? Would the PJS be correct in calling it the 13th homicide? Would the correct headline be: Peoria suffers 13th homicide of the year or Woman fatally stabs husband in self defense.
Perhaps for the same reason they didn’t count the self-defense stabbing in 2006 of a druggie on the Near North End. Cops refused to count that either. I think you are giving the PJS way too much credit in their story. Going after Ardis? They were just trying to get the story done on time.
If you guys are going to defend a homicide as one person killing another, then we need to add in all car accidents where someone dies as well. For news purposes, a homicide is a murder.
This is clearly an attack.
To the Peoria AntiPundit:
Your comment that PJS is “doing this” to sell papers is a joke.
I cancelled my subscription in writing giving them all the “A” reasons: They are Absurd, Abusive, Agravating, Agitating, Anti-Peoria, and a few more. If you could check their circulation levels, I would imagine you would find they need to sell papers. However, those in charge have no idea how to create a daily newspaper that someone actually wants to read, except for the ads and the crossword. If some of the staff lived in Iraq they would be out blowing up bridges.
Bartman, since you clearly have access to a dictionary, please look up the words “denotation” and “connotation,” then reread my post. That will help you understand my “beef.”
Also, just out of curiosity, do you think the newspaper should use the word “beef” when describing an argument? Why or why not? Your answer will likely make my point about the use of the word “homicide” when applied to a police action.
Wow, John, saying the reporters are terrorists because they report about the misgivings of the city. You dropped the paper because you didn’t want to pay for it, not the news.
That is correct John. I don’t think there is nothing funny about it at all. The PJS is in the paper business and they make their money selling papers. If you don’t subscribe then good for you. That’s your choice. There is good news in the paper, it’s not always on the front page though. Sorry you feel so bad towards the staff but I doubt any of them would be terrorists.
Today’s (tues) Journal Star:
“Lewis’ slaying is the city’s tenth.”
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/061907/POL_BDHVP05C.029.php