How the Media is Exploiting Craigslist Killer's Victim Julissa Brisman

Today, maybe even right now, you can turn on the TV and see pictures of Julissa Brisman, shot three times and murdered by the so-called "Craigslist" killer. The pictures of Julissa are not meant to be anodyne. These photos are provocative. They're sexual. And that's why they keep airing the photos on TV.

Please, watch the news today. You will see camera shots lingering on Julissa Brisman's body, before the camera makes its way to her face. Can you please tell me why this part of the story is news?

It's not. It's exploitation. Sex sells, and in this case, although Julissa Brisman died a horrible, horrible death, the media is still selling her sexual image in order to entice viewers.

It's simply wrong. I have no expectation for the tabloid press, but the bigger news outlets should not commit themselves to such exploitation. It's shameful.

 

Comments

[culture geek]

07:36 PM on 04/27/2009

What really shocked me was the coverage on The Insider today, wherein bot the host and special guest John Walsh used the photographs to insinuate that the victim was asking for it.
Yeah, it's just a thttp://www.huffingtonpost.com/matt-littman/how-the-media-is-exploiti_b_189762.html#abloid show, but blaming the victim is completely unacceptable.

[DenaSilver]

06:29 PM on 04/22/2009

Very good point. Thank you, Matt LIttman, for calling this to our attention.

[Bethab]

01:25 PM on 04/22/2009

I suppose the MSM's anger at Craigslist for robbing them of classified ad income has nothing to do with it?

[katio]

10:24 AM on 04/22/2009

Whatever her positive or negative qualities, Julissa Brisman was a sex worker. As a licensed massage therapist in both Massachusetts and New York, I am deeply offended when I see her referred to as a masseuse. Practicing massage in either state without a license is illegal. Obtaining and maintaining a license requires rigorous training, background checks, codes of ethical behavior, etc. Doing what she appeared to be doing would cause her to lose a license if she had one. Referring to such a person as a masseuse is ignorant and casts dispersions on a whole group of caring, hardworking professionals who offer real benefits to the public's health and wellbeing.

[LadyAurora]

02:24 PM on 04/22/2009

And you know for a fact that she was a sex worker? Maybe she wasn't licensed (we won't know until it all comes out during the trial), but until we know everything don't jump to conclusions that she was a sex worker.

[culture geek]

07:41 PM on 04/27/2009

Ultimately, does it matter?

Lapsed license or sex work, she didn't deserve to die for it. John Walsh was already on the Insider* yesterday and today, using the photos to insinuate that she was somehow asking for it.

*note, I'm not trying to flood-- I flubbed a previous attempt to post this story.

[MadHeart]

05:00 AM on 04/22/2009

I'm sorry Ms. Brisman is dead, she didn't deserve it. However, she is being called an "aspiring actress" and was a woman who put herself out front and who posed for those very pictures you're condemning the press for using. I don't think she wanted to be an understudy for Helen Mirren or Merle Streep; she exploited her own sexuality for profit, and, unfortunately, was not experienced enough to protect herself effectively. This is the difference between amateurs and pros and a good way to put yourself in danger from what seems to be an increase in sexual predators on the internet, where anonymity reigns. I guess those of us who work regular jobs are chumps for not exploiting ourselves more.

[Malkin71]

10:13 PM on 05/13/2009

You wish you had the opportunity to be robbed and shot also?

Prostitutes are targets for violence because they can't seek protection from the law.

Legalize it and the women can be protected and tested. With a legal and safer alternative, the johns would move the demand to legal brothels. This would isolate the underage and the "sex slaves" still left on the black market making it easier for police to sift through to bust them.

Win. Win. Win.

That's why I'm sure we'll never do it.

[DeidreW]

08:10 PM on 04/21/2009

What disturbs me is that all we are learning of Julissa Brisman is that she may have been a sex worker. The media has determined that information is all we need to know aside from the fact that she was beautiful. Her alleged killer always gets referred to as the medical student. It feels like the media is blaming the victim for the crime and is fascinated more with the potential motives of the killer than the loss of a young woman.

[24kgold]

11:24 AM on 04/22/2009

Very True........

[carolinecantoo]

06:58 PM on 04/21/2009

You said it yourself, sex sells. Television is for profit. There are no rules anymore as you can tell by watching the news. Journalism has become exploitation for ratings. By the way you are to blame as well since you encourage us to "Please, watch the news today. You will see camera shots lingering on Julissa Brisman's body, before the camera makes its way to her face." Give me a break!