The number of child abduction cases has actually declined this year both nationally and in Utah, although media coverage of kidnappings this summer has been intense.

Both the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Utah Missing Persons Clearinghouse estimate a 2 percent decrease in missing persons cases, but at the same time, media coverage of kidnappings has exploded.

"The media is just putting more attention on these cases," said Joann Donnellan, NCMEC media relations manager. "We need to keep it in perspective. The numbers are consistent."

The numbers she refers to come from a Justice Department survey that estimated that 3,200-4,600 non-family child abductions occur each year in the U.S.

"Last summer we didn't get coverage, but there were cases," Donnellan said.

The news trend began June 5 with the kidnapping of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart from her Salt Lake City home.

"Because so much attention was given to the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping, it almost steam-rolled coverage of every incident of this nature," said Duanne Cardall, director of editorials for KSL News.

But according to the Utah Missing Persons Clearinghouse, the Elizabeth Smart case is only the third ever of its kind in Utah.

Cardall said he cringes when he hears phrases like "the rash of recent kidnappings" read over the air.

"If you look at the facts, there hasn't been a rash or inordinate number of actual cases, but in the news more prominence is given to kidnappings," Cardall said. "It gives a distorted picture to the public."

Such a news cycle presents ethical dilemmas such as balancing a newscast, said Cardall.

"One of the problems is news agencies are focusing on these issues, whereas we are a nation at war," Cardall said. "The general populace needs to be aware of significant issues. We are sacrificing coverage of significant events."

Others worry that the extensive coverage will eventually turn people away from local kidnapping stories when a child desperately needs the eyes and ears of the community.

"Its terrified people and a lot of people are tired of hearing it," said Gina McMahon, manager of the Utah Missing Persons Clearinghouse.

"The stories and statistics where it is being covered constantly is going to desensitize people to child abductions," she said.

In some instances, law enforcement officials credit the media for helping rescue abducted children.

"Publicity is an important tool to help find these kids," said Paul Murphy of the Utah Attorney General's Office.

According to the NCMEC, one out of six children safely recovered is recognized from television or a poster.

"Our statistics show that the media does work," Donnellan said. "We would love to have exposure for every kid."

Copyright Brigham Young University 2 Sep 2002