Media Coverage of Crime

Research Paper # 99508

Communication > Mass Media
Criminology

A review of the factors that play a role in the media coverage of crime.

1,281 words () | 3 sources | APA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the validity of the hypothesis that crimes are largely covered in the media because they provoke public interest and a fascination with the macabre and that for this reason the majority of covered crimes tend to be violent in nature. It discusses whether factors such as victim characteristics, perpetrator demographics or other variables play a role in media coverage of crime.

Table of Content:
Introduction
The Effects of Crime, Victim and Defendant Characteristics
Other Findings
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Though a number of cliched explanations for biased media coverage of crime stories exist, the findings of the relevant research elicit interesting, contrary results. It appears that the biggest predictor of media coverage may be the number of victims relating to the news incident, which one may interpret in relation to the popularity of violent crime: a story involving a large number of victims probably involves a high degree of violence. Many typical conceptions regarding media coverage, including influences from location, victim and defendant characteristics, and weapon demographics, seem doubtful. Evidently crime news in general is popular because the public are interested in the drama of it all - drama which may have little to do with the actual crime, as the media exaggerates crime stories and tends to portray them from the police's point of view. It is the human element of crime that draws in viewers, and it is human enterprise that is responsible for biased media coverage of crime."

Sample of Sources Used:

Cartwright, Barry. (2006). Introduction to Criminology. Criminology 101-3 - Study Guide. Canada: Simon Fraser University.
Chermak, Steven. (1998). Predicting Crime Story Salience: The Effects of Crime, Victim, and Defendant Characteristics. Journal of Criminal Justice, 26, 1, 61-70.
Sacco, V.G. & Kennedy, L.W. (2002). The Criminal Event: An Introduction to Criminology in Canada (3rd ed.). Toronto: Thomas Nelson.