This dissertation is a case study examining local television news crime stories in New Orleans, Louisiana and Indianapolis, Indiana. The two cities were chosen because the black to white racial demographic was almost the exact opposite. The goal was to determine if there were differences in the way crime was reported in a predominately white city (Indianapolis) versus a predominately black city (New Orleans). According to the 2000 U.S. Census data, Indianapolis, is 69.09% white and 25.5% black. New Orleans is 67.3% black and 28.1% white.

The local news in each city was recorded over a four month period in 2003. The study consisted of a content analysis combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. There were a total of 294 crime stories analyzed in this research. Critical Race Theory was applied in the analysis. Based on the results of the analysis, it appears that whites were reported as suspects most often in Indianapolis and blacks in New Orleans, but when compared to national crime statistics reported by the FBI, there is some over-emphasis in local news on blacks as suspects in both cities. Murder is also over-reported in local television news in both cities when compared to reports from police departments from each city.

According to the results of this study, black reporters are for the most part relegated to reporting on crimes involving black victims. The qualitative data gives specific examples of how this practice does not guarantee an unbiased or accurate report of crimes involving blacks.