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'Suspect Convictions' Ep. 8: The Media Glare

Lt. Don Schaeffer addresses the media on September 18, 1990, the day after Jennifer Lewis was murdered.
Todd Mizener
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Dispatch and Rock Island Argus
Lt. Don Schaeffer addresses the media on September 18, 1990, the day after Jennifer Lewis was murdered. "It was overwhelming; I've never seen police officers so shaken by a case," says photographer Todd Mizener.

What role does the media play in a high-profile case like the one against Stanley Liggins? That is the question this episode tackles.

Media coverage has always played a role in this case, from initial television and newspaper coverage, to talk show radio, and now, this podcast. Opinion pieces often mix with factual coverage in the public's mind, and it can get messy.

How has that played a role in the Jennifer Lewis case from the very beginning, and what role does this podcast play?

Reporters and photographers share what they have learned about reporting on sensitive topics, and how to stay in line with journalistic ethics and standards. They also explain the role journalists play in the legal system.