media Flashcards
what crimes are least likely to be reported? and what do crime news not contain about these crimes?
-most property crimes, white collar crimes, corporate + environmental crimes, non-violent crimes, low level fraud, summary offenses…etc
-doesnt contain context, lived exp of victims/offenders, environmental factors, social/structural situations..etc
how is crime often presented in the media? (7)
-crimes are soaring
-criminals are more violent/younger
-CJS + politicians ‘soft on crime’
-not enough police/resources
-police dont have enough power/authority
-courts/judges –> not enough tough penalties
-victimization is random, senseless + can happen to anyone @ any time
why does media emphasize, sensationalize, or overreport stories about crime? (3)
-examples?
-crime sells!
-‘bad news’ simply gains and holds ppl’s attention in a more profound + lasting way than ‘good news’
-news media = business
ex. late 1880’s –> joseph pulitzer changed New York World from politics to crime and tragedy
-increased sales by 1500% within a year
how are crime narratives depicted?
heavily binary (offenders/victims, hereos/villains…etc)
-easier to digest + less complicated
impact of media reporting on crime on individ/society? (6)
-public misinfo abt crime/crime rates
-increased feelings of fear, anxiety, stress, helplessness..etc
-fear of victimization changes behav
-changes in police procedure due to public demand + pressure for them to act
-politics + politicians assurance on security to be more “tough on crime” + increase on police budgets…etc
-prejudicial attitudes about certain groups (racism, classicism, xenophobia..etc)
moral panics? history?
-widespread +often irrational fear that some new products, behav, or action will threaten values or the wellbeing of society
–> defined/constructed by moral entrepreneurs (politicians, religious leaders, media pundits, special interest groups) as well as MEDIA DRIVEN
-1972: coined by Staney Cohen –> examination of ‘devaint’ youth subcultures
–> concepts dates back to trial of Socrates (Socrates executed because politicians saw him as a threat to society as he was teaching “dangerous ideas”)
why is there moral panics?
-no ‘legitimate’ news to report (24 hrs new cycle) –> stories of moral panics to fill space
-1980’s: D+D , thoughts of witchcraft, satanism, sorcery, “satanic panic”, parental advisory explicit content sticker (Prince)
-modern: tide pod challenge, immigration, book bannings, bathroom bills
*anything for attention/views can make moral panics worse bc more ppl end up participating
crime as entertainment? history?
-1880’s: jack the ripper and the Whitechapel murders (considered the ‘first’ modern serial killer and has at least 5 victims –> caused a media frenzy (very powerful w/public fascination, origins of ‘yellow’ (‘tabloid’) journalism
-2010’s: TRUE CRIME WAVE –> digital trends
social media (spread info and interactive), online forums + msg boards for amateur investigators (ex. reddit), rise of streaming services (bingeable content), podcasts, internet/YT (does widespread, easily accessible content that is easy to create)
-making a murder (2015)
pos results of true crime media? (6)
-may provide education on CJS + operate
-highlight ineffectiveness or bias in CjS
-may educate/raise awareness about certain types of crime/victimization
-closure for victims/families
-impact CJS + exoneration of wrongly convicted, reopening of cold cases, new evidence…etc
-may confront fears/anxieties in ‘healthy’ ways
neg results of true crime media
-glorification of brutal crimes (criminals)
-exploitation of victims (families) for entertainment/profit
-prone to misinfo, bias + emotional manipulation
-may sway public opinion about certain cases or individs
-increased feelings of anxiety, paranoia + fear of victimization
-desensitization to violence/crime
-‘citizen sleuths’
-stories of marginalized pops often told through non-marginalized creators
what crimes are reported in the new media most frequently?
-murder, violence, gang acts, war crimes, celebrity cases, mass shootings, sexual assault, legal cases
how are the most frequently reported crimes compared to in reality?
the crimes LEAST LIKELY to occur are the ones that are most often highlighted in news media
how are most frequently reported crimes highlighted in the news?
uses sensationalist language (words to grasp attention of audience) –> crime wave, epidemic, slaughter, massacre)
