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Who Shot JFK?
General Purpose: To illustrate survey research and how it is used
in contemporary media effects research.
Spotlight Outline
I. Media Coverage of Event (Greenberg & Parker, 1965)
A. Diffusion of News - what we know about the assassination,
we know through the media. According to surveys, within
30 minutes, 70% knew that the President had been shot and
killed. Within 1 hour, 90% knew and within 5 hours,
99.8% knew.
B. Source of News - 2 categories
1. media (direct) 50 %
2. another human being (indirect) - 50% heard from
another human being who heard it from the mass
media
3. TV was primary source for continuing coverage
C. Fact-Checking and Rumor Control - Info flooded the
airwaves unchecked. For example, it was reported that
the gun was found in 4 different locations, 2-5 bullets
were found, and that JFK was shot in different areas by
different guns.
D. Dallas Police and Cooperation with Media - there was a
decision to be open and honest with the media but they
did not set up a command post to sort out the facts.
E. You Can Believe Your Own Eyes - there was the assumption
that if you heard it on the news, it must be true.
F. "Flash" Survey of Public Opinion (Week After)
1. Oswald, The Shooter? 72% thought Lee Harvey Oswald
was the shooter. 28% thought that Lee was set up
and others were involved.
2. A Conspiracy, Of Course - 62% believed there was a
conspiracy (others plotted with Lee). 20% believed
the Warren report (Oswald acted alone). 10-14% were
unsure.
3. What Shall We Do About It?- Fewer than 10% believed catching
the conspirators was important
G. Conclusions
1. Very confused reporting from the crime scene
2. Failure of Americans to believe there are flaws in
the reporting
3. Large number of people believed in the conspiracy
II. The movie, "JFK" (Stone & Sklar, 1992) - cost $60 million to
make the movie
A. Content - Jim Garrison believed in the conspiracy and
wrote several books on it. Stone used Garrison tapes in
the movie.
B. Controversy - The tapes and books concluded that Oswald
was set up by invisible forces (DOD, CIA, and Pentagon).
Also indicated that Johnson knew about the plot. They
wanted Kennedy out of the picture because he did not want
to continue the Vietnam War. Official sources claim that
the movie was a lie.
C. Claims
1. Three teams of shooters
2. Six total shots fired
3. Oswald is a "patsy"
4. Coup d'etat and massive conspiracy
5. Everyone gets away with it
D. Does Fiction Influence Beliefs about Facts?
Stone's movie pictures are different
III. The Effects of Media on Assassination Beliefs
A. Goals of study - link as to whether you had seen the
movie and believe it or the Warren report
B. Methods - Survey college adults
C. Measurement
1. Self report - tell me what you know
Exposure to various JFK sources
Belief in conspiracy
Belief in Warren report
2. Valid report - no reason to lie
D. Results - see page 30
E. Conclusions about Movie Impact
1. Fiction drives your belief about reality.
Director's portrayal influences your belief.
2. Critical thinking/analysis was not claimed.
IV. The Warren Commission Report - 26 volumes (see pages 203-205 for
summary)
A. Background on the Commission - Earl Warren was the Chief
Justice of the US Supreme Court. Gerald Ford was also on
the Commission. The Commission consisted of seven
members (spent one year on the investigation).
B. Supporting Evidence -
1. Howard Brennan and 3 employees saw the TSBD team
fire shots and identified Oswald in a line up 3
times. This was omitted from the Stone film.
2. Sniper's nest, 3 shells, boxes, wrapper
3. Rifle, prints, fibers, handwriting, photos
4. Hitching a ride witness, curtain rods
5. Oswald, marine sharpshooter
6. Zapruder film, 5-8 seconds, 1 or 3 misses
7. Rifle operation, scope, number, misfires
8. Medical evidence JFK and Connally
9. Bullet fragments, location, source
C. Conclusion: Oswald was the only shooter
V. A Closer Look at the Movie's Claim
A. Stone's Shooting Sequence
1. Dal-Tex Building team misses
2. Grassy Knoll team hits JFK in neck (front)
3. Texas School Book Depository (TSBD) team hits JFK
in the back
4. Dal-Tex team misses JFK, hits Governor Connally
5. TSBD team misses, ricochet hits bystander
6. Grassy Knoll team hits JFK in head (front)
VI. The End
A. Greed is Good, You Know - Stone was willing to stretch
the truth to attract a large audience to make money.
(spent $60 mil)
B. Fiction's Impact on Fact - given to you in a fictional venue.
Can impact beliefs
C. The Very Suspicious Receiver, Sometimes - on the basis of
the fictional movie
D. Survey Research - self report
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