The Media & Law & Order Flashcards
Under PowerPoint Week 4
In 2018, how many homicides were recorded in England and Wales? A. 7,850 B. 739 C. 68 D. 68,500
B. 739
Crime is a staple of the mass media. for television, cinema, newspaper and books, crime is a central, even dominant theme. True or False?
True
Research by Fitzgerald (2002) showed that the majority of people obtain their information about the police through ‘word of mouth’. True or False
False:
Newspapers - 80% TV, News, Docu - 80% Word of Mouth - 43% Media Fiction - 29% Direct Experience 20% Other 2%
The ideological background and reasons why certain forms of crime are covered in the media is usually referred to as: A. Tittilation B. The Law of Opposites C. Media Agenda D. Moral Panic
C. Media Agenda
What is the name of the academic who in 1973 wrote about the concept of News Selection which included such things as; immediacy, sex sells, dramatization and conventionalism etc.? A. Robert Reiner B. Albert Cohen C. Jock Young D. Steve Chibnall
D. Steve Chibnall
According to Robert Reiner (2016), the media coverage of crime is often the 'REVERSE' of the picture reported in the official crime statistics. What term does Reiner use to refer to this? A. The law of opposites B. The false enemies C. Deviance Amplification D. The double hermeneutic
A. The law of opposites
Which of the below describes the process whereby the media publicises a groups 'deviant' behaviour which in turn leads to an 'ever increasing spiral of deviance and crime'? A. The Stockholm Syndrome B. Deviancy Amplification C. Crime news as hegemony D. Immediacy
B. Deviancy Amplification
A wave of public concern about some exaggerated deviant threat to society is known as a: A. Folk Devil B. Dramatisation C. Social Alienation D. Moral Panic
D. Moral Panic
According to Hall et al (1978), the societal reaction to which of the below crime types was the result of media driven moral panic? A. Mugging (Robbery) B. Terrorism C. Joy riding D. Football hooliganism
A. Mugging
The Royal Charter which established the BBC makes it clear that there is no requirement for the BBC to be impartial in the reporting of news. True or False
False
According to Fitzgerald et al. (2002:78) what was the most common source for information about the police? A. Word of Mouth B. Direct Experience C. Newspapers/TV D. Media fiction
C. Newspapers, TV, News, Documentaries - 80%
Smith (1984) found that offences of violence accounted for what % of media coverage despite accounting less than 6% of known crimes?
Over 50%
Other research showed stories concerning death accounted for 53% of all crime reported on Sky News
In 2018, how many rapes were recorded in England and Wales? A. 560,000 B. 56,000 C. 5,600 D. 560
B. 56,000
In 2018, how many crimes involving violence with injury were recorded in England and Wales? A. 533,000 B. 53,300 C. 5,300 D. 530
A. 533,000
In 2018, approx. how many thefts were recorded in England and Wales? A. 6 million B. 4 million C. 2 million D. 1 million
C. 2 million
+ 4.5 million offences of fraud
What did Jones (2013) argue in relation to British newspapers?
Jones argues that the wealthy owners resist threats to the society that enabled their fortune. The rich protect the rich by channeling stories that protect the status quo
Explain what Greer and Reiner (2012) mean with ‘crime news as hegemony in action’
The ownership and control of the media, the structure of crime reporting and the key elements of newsworthiness all contribute to the production of crime news in a form which reflects the dominant social ideology
i.e. focusing on the crime so the powerless rather than the powerful
What is the Marxist view of Media Agenda?
They see the media as acting in the interests of the bourgeoisie by promoting the ideals and values which best serve them - Ideological State Apparatus
What is the Functionalist view of Media Agenda?
That the media is free from an overall controller, serving an important role in maintaining freedom and different opinions throughout society. They argue the media helps promote the different points of view and issues in relation to the collective norms in society
Define ‘Hegemony’
Put simply,
leadership or dominance, especially by one social group over another
Define ‘Ideology’
Put simply, a set of opinions or beliefs of a group or individuals - especially one which forms the basis for a society and/or political system
What is Deviance Amplification (Wilkins, 1964)?
When society defines a members as ‘deviant’ and isolates them. the, now, alienated group develop their own norms/values which society perceives as even more deviant. This cycle repeats itself in an ever-increasing spiral of deviance and crime. The Media is crucial in this amplification
The Mods and Rockers are a key example of what?
Moral Panics
Other examples:
- mugging
- raves
- terrorist attacks
- football hooliganism
- knife crime
