Newswise — The media frenzy surrounding NBA star Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case is nothing new, says a Ball State University researcher.
It is nearly a tradition for reporters and television cameras to arrive in droves to cover such events when a major celebrity is brought to court on sex-related charges, said Melvin Sharpe, a public relations professor at Ball State.
Bryant makes his first court appearance today (Wednesday, Aug. 6) for his sexual assault case. He is accused of assaulting a 19-year-old woman at a mountain resort June 30. Bryant maintains the sex was consensual and says he is guilty only of adultery. He is free on $25,000 bond.
Sharpe believes much of the frenzy is being driven by the public's high interest in such cases.
"We do know, of course, that recent research shows that sex sells better than anything else in advertising which indicates that it is also one of the strongest appeals for readership of news," he said. "The public has always been interested in high profile cases. There were similar media frenzies with movie stars in the past, such as with Errol Flynn and Ingrid Bergman."
Bryant will appear before Judge Frederick Gannett at the Eagle County Courthouse at 6 p.m. (EDT). The judge will advise Bryant of his rights and read the charge against him, which is one count of sexual assault. The hearing will be broadcast live from a camera inside the courtroom.
Sharpe is not surprised that huge numbers of reporters and camera crews will be covering the event. Outside the court, a media tent has been set up for the hundreds who have descended on this town of about 3,000 people, near the posh ski resorts of Vail, Colo. Another 30 media satellite trucks from around the country are parked near the courthouse.
"The Hearst newspapers built their circulations on this type of coverage," Sharpe said. "Current tabloids have also built their circulation on the coverage even when readers know that they can not necessarily believe what they read."
Television, as well as Internet news sites, also has added to the coverage of major celebrity-oriented events in recent years, providing instantaneous updates and serving as information sources for other media organizations, he said.
"This, of course, has a negative side as it increases the opportunity for inaccuracy of facts. The biggest change is the instantaneous communication brought about by electronic and satellite technology."
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