By Rene Lynch, Los Angeles Times –
LOS ANGELES — A majority of Republicans say the media have gone overboard with their coverage of the Trayvon Martin slaying, and 43 percent of whites in general say enough is enough, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.
The survey found that 56 percent of Republicans are fed up with the amount of coverage. By contrast, 25 percent of Democrats (and 33 percent of Democrats who identify themselves as white) surveyed say there has been too much coverage. The survey also found that 16 percent of blacks polled say they’ve had enough.
“This story has emerged as a kind of flashpoint story that divides people, and people have very different reactions based on race and ethnicity,” Carroll Doherty, associate director of Pew Research Center, told the Los Angeles Times.
The Feb. 26 shooting of the unarmed 17-year-old in Sanford, Fla., by a neighborhood watch captain has dominated the news in recent weeks. The racially charged case is likely to stay in the public eye for the foreseeable future as prosecutors decide whether to charge George Zimmerman in Martin’s death.
Critics have held almost daily marches and protests in an effort to raise awareness about the case and to demand Zimmerman’s arrest.
The case has also led Democratic state Sen. Chris Smith of Florida to launch a study into the state’s “stand your ground” law. The law, which gives people the ability to protect themselves in the face of danger, is believed to be at issue in the Martin case, with Zimmerman saying he opened fire because he feared for his own safety.
The results were revealed as part of the Pew center’s weekly News Interest Index survey. The survey took place Thursday through Sunday and questioned 1,000 adults.
The survey found that 30 percent of those surveyed said they were following the case “most closely” as compared with any other story. (The Supreme Court hearings on the 2010 health care law are a distant second with just 15 percent, according to the center’s survey results.)
Overall, 37 percent of those surveyed say the media are focusing too much on Martin’s death. An almost identical amount — 40 percent — say coverage has been about right. And 14 percent say more coverage is needed.
“Seldom do you get differences along these lines,” Doherty said of the results. “This story seems to have really touched a nerve, and there’s a clear difference in the way political groups and racial groups see it.”
You don’t know what happened so why not shut up until the investigation is complete. It is rabble rousers like you who keep hatred and discontent going all the time. You don’t live in Florida so you really don’t count.
Given the wide media attention to the case, and the 911 tapes being broadcast for all to hear, I’d say I know just as much as most. It’s very clear. Zimmerman was instructed to not follow him, yet he did. He’s going to be charged in this crime…it’s only a matter of time.
(taking a deep breath) When are people going to grow a brain? The issue is not the Florida Law. It’s okay to “Stand Your Ground” in the face of thuggery, assault, and attempted mayhem. I agree with the law, because for far too long, thugs are able to intimidate people on the street. Slight revisions and clarifications need to be addressed within the law however.
The issue here is that this d.b. (douchebag) George Zimmerman started stalking a person, confronted him without legal authority, and refused instructions by the 911 operator to not follow him, and wait for police to arrive. George Zimmerman caused this person’s death unnecessarily. He wasn’t being threatened by Trayvon…he was stalking Trayvon. As a black youth who is well aware of prejudice and racism, I’m sure that when Zimmerman finally did approach him, he was hostile. Who wouldn’t be, when someone is treating you suspiciously.
Basically if Zimmerman was minding his own business, Trayvon would still be alive, and no crime would have been committed in that neighborhood. You have to examine this important fact deciding who was the instigator. Zimmerman was the instigator, and for this he must NOT be allowed to take shelter under the Florida Law of Stand Your Ground, and should be charged with stalking, and homicide, probably first degree murder, because every indication is that he stalked this person out to cause bodily harm to him.
Nothing like living up to stereotypes.
Someone is kinda sorta following me … I’d better attack him!