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Pig Farm Media Analysis Assignment

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Media Analysis Assignment Harsh Bhangu Wilfrid Laurier University CC-215 – Murder in Canada Professor Mary McCluskey March 21, 2024 The “Pig Farm” is a documentary produced by Christine Nielsen unfolding the largest serial killing case in Canada and the gruesome crimes of Robert Willy Pickton. The paper delves into the analysis of the documentary and how it is represented in the media. This paper includes a summary of the case which outlines key components, an analysis of the documentary which discusses how the case is portrayed, a personal reflection on the media source, and a conclusion. The Robert Willy Pickton case spans over many years in Vancouver, specifically targeting women from the downtown east side area who relied on the …show more content…

Dave Dixon, a beat cop, noticed an increase in missing women and alerted his superior, Dough Mackay-Dunn, initiating an investigation. By early 1999, Pickton was on the police radar, but he was one of many suspects. Moreover, Andy Bellwood and Lynn Elingsen met Pickton, but Bellwood noticed Pickton’s disturbing behaviour and left the farm without reporting it to the police. On the other hand, Elingsen and Pickton went to downtown Eastside to pick up a prostitute who she later found hanging in the barn. Elingsen was threatened into silence by Pickton and denied everything, and later disappeared when interviewed by police. Her silence was also a result of her blackmailing Pickton in the past. Despite collaboration with the RCMP, the police faced public pressure and investigation challenges. However, a tip from Scott Chubs resulted in a search of Pickton’s property, which revealed gruesome evidence. Pickton was charged with 26 murders and found guilty for the first six murders, but on a second-degree conviction in December 2007. The public and the families of the victims felt disappointed with the verdict. Pickton received a life sentence with no chance of parole of 25 years. Despite more evidence surfacing, many …show more content…

The documentary presented that the public pressure drove the media coverage forward as many of the victim’s did not have any family or friends to support and advocate for them. Overall, the documentary did an adequate job at giving the audience a general idea of the Robert Willy Pickton case, but still missed crucial details which could have given the case a deeper representation. In conclusion, the documentary “The Pig Farm” examines the Robert Willy Pickton case and explores the intricacies of the crimes and the investigations surrounding them. It delves into the darker side of Vancouver over the span of many years and highlights the vulnerability of those from downtown eastside who were victimized by Pickton and subjected to neglect by the police. However, the documentary does not take into account how the victims faced the shortcomings of the systemic issues and instead placed emphasis on Pickton and his friends in order to humanize him. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the documentary sheds light on an extremely tragic aspect of Canadian history, which highlighted the need for

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