Georgia Romain | Content Analysis | September 26, 2024

Abstract: This paper was written for a content analysis assignment in my COMM 1130 class at the University of Utah. The objective was to analyze Season 1 of the Serial podcast, which we had been listening to throughout the semester. Our task was to evaluate what it means to report news objectively while maintaining truth, accuracy, and ethical standards, and to apply communication concepts from our course textbook to Sarah Koenig’s reporting.

In my paper, I examined Koenig’s investigative approach, focusing on how she balanced objective journalism with compelling storytelling. One of the central challenges she faced was maintaining impartiality while navigating a complex criminal case involving conflicting evidence and emotional testimonies. I assessed how effectively she presented facts while allowing listeners to form their own conclusions, and I analyzed whether her narrative choices impacted the overall objectivity of her reporting.

This assignment allowed me to connect theoretical concepts like media bias, credibility, and journalistic integrity to a real-world example. It highlighted how investigative journalism requires more than just fact-finding—it demands critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and transparency. By analyzing Serial, I gained a deeper understanding of the challenges journalists face and the responsibility they have to report stories that inform and engage the public without compromising accuracy or fairness.

The Serial Podcast Analysis

Objectivity 

Objectivity is essentially defined as the lack of bias and favoritism to one side on issues (Kuehn, Lingwall, 2017. Pg. 104). To be objective is not only to express true information, but it is to do so in a neutral way. Objectivity really lies in the way information is expressed. As for objectivity in reporting news, it is my view that reporters cannot be truly objective. It is just human nature to have an opinion and implicit biases exist in all of us. I think there are certain cases where reporters can be objective, such as reporting on the weather, or reporting on a national emergency, for example. I think where objectivity is really hard for reporters to maintain is when reporting on issues of politics, religion, and morality. I would say reporting on criminal cases tends to lean towards the side of morality; what is right and what is wrong–and why. When listening to Sarah Koeing’s Serial Podcast, I do think she did a good job at remaining mostly objective throughout. Though I think what was hard was that she began to build a personal relationship with Adnan throughout the series. Koeing was completely shocked when, in episode eleven Adnan said he didn’t think she knew him at all. Koeing was almost offended with Adnan saying, “I mean for you to say that I’m a great person, a nice person, I’ve only talked to you on the phone a few times.”  (Koeing, 2014, No. 11). I think why Adnan claimed Sarah didn’t know him was partly in retaliation on Adnan’s side because Koeing never said she necessarily believed him, and continued to remain mostly impartial with Adnan when asking him questions and reviewing parts of his case. She would ask him the hard questions. She would tell him information she learned that would sometimes contradict him or his statements. She would even explain how aspects of his case didn’t look “good” for him demonstrating objectivity even with the subject. 

I think also where Koeing did a good job at remaining objective was in the season finale of the podcast, where she didn’t really give her opinion–she more so let us in on her thinking–her “back and forth” and gave the audience permission to think for themselves given the information she has given them. I guess you could say her opinion was that she doesn’t know if Adnan is guilty or not–and I think a lot of the audience would agree with that after listening to her report of the case which also shows how Koeing really was objective in her reporting with Serial. When reporters are looking to maintain objectivity in their own reporting I do think they could learn a thing or two from Koeing’s reporting. To remain objective as a reporter, it’s important to avoid stories or issues that are too personal or polarizing to you as the individual because that could take away any chance at objectivity. 

Truth and Accuracy 

Truth and accuracy are easily some of the most important aspects of reporting because without truth and accuracy misinformation can spread like a wildfire. I would say these components of processional news writing standards are listed first because truth and accuracy must come first in reporting. Truth and accuracy give an audience context for your story or issue you’re reporting on (Kuehn, Lingwall, 2017. Pg. 104); but with those– it also gives you credibility as a reporter and fosters trust in your audience. When applying these components to the Serial podcast, I can say with full certainty that the information presented in the podcast is factual, and Sarah Koeing’s reporting explained the truth, even when it wasn’t easy to hear for some and was accurate–backed with an intense dedication to research on the case from Koeing and multiple other parties. One example that sticks out to me among the many examples of truth and accuracy in the Serial podcast is in the finale episode Koeing describes how producers Julie and Dana fact-checked and went over every bit of information they had on the case, to reevaluate after a full years worth of research, interview transcripts, police records, attorney files, and the cell records–those being much of what the prosecution’s case was built around (Koeing, 2014, No. 12). This is one of the many times Serial’s production team and Koeing went over the information of the case which reflects the meaning in inclusion of truth and accuracy in media reporting. Without truth and accuracy, journalism has no defining backing–no real benefit to anyone. There can only be malintent in reporting information with no truth and accuracy. 

First Amendment 

The significance of the First Amendment to journalism as practiced in the United States includes but is not limited to the freedom of expression, opinion, and public discourse. The First Amendment in terms of journalism almost sort of combats the components of truth and accuracy in journalism, in my opinion. Freedom of the press is freedom for anyone to write or publish anything–even if it is untrue. In the United States many of us are familiar with the public discourse regarding “fake news” and propaganda that swirls media cycles today and it has become our job now more than ever to evaluate and understand information as it is presented to decide whether it is factual or not. The First Amendment also reflects a commitment to free speech–encouraging discussion, understanding and sometimes uncomfortability that fosters learning among individuals. From the Serial podcast, Koeing exercises her First Amendment rights by dissecting Adnan’s case and working to uncover the truths and faults of his trial–challenging the judicial system that convicted an individual in a case despite a lack of evidence–through her podcast reflecting freedom of press. The metaphor of the media being a “watch-dog” for the government basically preserves the rights of freedom of speech and press and dismisses government-sanctioned censorship as wholly unconstitutional  (Kuehn, Lingwall, 2016. Pg. ). This allows the American people to make up their own minds and contradict or commend the government through their own free will. 

Background Research 

There are many reasons it is important for reporters to conduct background research on their stories before conducting interviews–but most notably to avoid being contradicted by or offending an interviewee and therefore losing trust in the interviewing process. Regarding reporting and interviewing, background research is essential for verification and attribution in reporting (Kuehn, Lingwall, 2016. Pg. 107). Interviewing multiple sources and evaluating all of them although not all of them may be used in a final presentation of research or reporting will help protect truth and accuracy in reporting. Background research is the only way to do this–and double or even triple checking is essential to good reporting and interviewing. Sarah Koeing had lots of essential background information she used to understand and report on Adnan’s case going as far back as her time reporting with the Baltimore Sun. Koeing wrote about a defense-attorney in Baltimore who was disbarred for mishandling client funds–the same defense-attorney who defended Adnan (Koeing, 2014, No. 1). Through this small connection and contact by a woman named Rabia Chaudry–Serial Podcast was born. Koeing clearly did a lot of background research before starting the podcast–with what she was reporting on–she had to. She had to understand the case before she could further investigate it, then report on it. 

Professional Strategy Triangle

When reporting and interviewing, elements of the Professional Strategy Triangle perfectly outline and allow the aspects of audience, and context of a story to work synonymously with one another. The news situation aspect of the triangle examines the parameters of a good and well-informed news story; it includes your audience, why you’re writing, what the most important information is, what type of story, who’s involved and what media you’re writing for  (Kuehn, Lingwall, 2016. Pg. 110). Koeing’s form of media is a podcast most likely aimed for crime buffs or people involved in or those who already knew about Adnan’s case.  Koeing began this reporting on this story for a simple reason; she was asked and approached by someone who believed in Adnan’s innocence and her own curious mind led her to creating the podcast. She sorts through information and conducts countless interviews with Adnan and the key players in the story, and even legal counsel reevaluating the case. Her news situation is thoughtfully evaluated, carried out, and executed seamlessly in the final production of the podcast. In terms of news audience, in order to make sure your reporting and interviewing are gonna connect with an audience but also ensure that your audience will understand it, you need to know; who your audience is, their needs or wants, demographics, psychographics, and understand how what you’re reporting will be understood by an audience (Kuehn, Lingwall, 2016. Pg. 112). Koeing knew how her audience would connect with the story–reporting episode by episode on the case, sharing little bits of the case at a time–she was able to draw her audience in and keep them hooked, also reflecting her strong story-telling and reporting abilities. A good understanding by the reporter of both their news situation and audience leads to good reporting and interviewing because not only are all aspects of a story understood–but they are tailored to an audience and considerate of the context of the story. 

*This is a mock writing sample intended for educational purposes in my COMM 1130 class at the University of Utah. All views, opinions, and thoughts are my own.