Position Paper on “The Murder of Jun Lin: Luka Magnotta”

Eve Florieze E. Gunio from 12STEM2202 / ABCOMM221B

The year 2012 marked Canadas national attention to Luka Magnotta’s

shocking criminal behavior. He earned notoriety for allegedly committing
murder and dismemberment of Jun Lin - an immigrant from China studying
abroad in Canada at the time. The court found him guilty on multiple charges
including first degree murder which resulted in life imprisonment.

The case caused quite a controversy, with legal experts and

commentators arguing that Magnotta was only using his actions to gain fame
and publicity. Critics stated that the mass media coverage of the case,
particularly the gory details of the homicide, served only to increase and
intensify the praising of Magnotta's unlawful behavior.

The term "mass media" refers to a variety of forms of communication

created to reach broad audiences, including radio, television, print media, the
internet, and social media. The word "mass" refers to the huge audience that
these forms of communication may simultaneously reach.

People are influenced by the media because it is a powerful

communication instrument capable of reaching broad audiences and
influencing their attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. It has the power to inform,
entertain, socialize, educate, and impact people, and it has a major impact
on public opinion and the cultural environment.

The media coverage of Magnotta's case raised broader ethical

questions about the responsibilities of the media in reporting on criminal cases.
Some argue that the media has a duty to report accurately and responsibly
on criminal cases and to avoid glorifying criminal behavior. Others argue that
the media has a right to report on matters of public interest and that it is up to
the public to decide how to interpret and respond to the coverage.

As such, the Luka Magnotta case can be seen as an example of the

complex and often problematic relationship between mass media and
criminal behavior. While media coverage can play a vital role in informing the
public and holding perpetrators accountable, it can also create an unhealthy
obsession with violence and crime and contribute to a culture of celebrity
around notorious criminals.
 The media has a responsibility to report accurately and responsibly
because they have the capacity to impact public opinion and perception.
The media can foster trust and integrity while also contributing to a well-
informed and healthy society by adhering to ethical standards and ensuring
that their reporting is truthful, impartial, and accountable.

And in Luka Magnotta case the media did something that can affect
the public opinion. Author personally believes that they should have reported
it better without giving the audience an idea to glorify the unlawful behavior
of Magnotta.

In conclusion, mass media should be more responsible in making repost.

Media should be more conscious on what public will think. In making report,
verify the information: before reporting any news, it is important to verify the
information from a reliable source; Check for bias: it is important to be aware
of any potential bias in the reporting; Use proper language: the language used
in reporting should be precise and objective; Be transparent: It is important to
be transparent about the sources of information and any potential conflicts of
interest; Correct any mistakes: if any mistakes are made in the reporting, it is
important to correct them as soon as possible. This can maintain the trust of the
audience and prevent any further damage.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Jun_Lin#

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luka_Magnotta
https://en.citizendium.org/wiki/Luka_Magnotta

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/canadian-psycho-luka-rocco-magnotta-
chosen-as-2012-s-newsmaker-of-the-year-1.1090120