Media and Crime While the sole purpose of media is public service, media is after all is still a business (Canadian Resource Centre For Victims Of Crime, 2015; Hilt & Lipschultz, 2014). Seeking for a perfect news angle is the crucial part in reporting news story (Brewer, 2015). Crime news stories constitutes the fourth most reported stories in newspapers and televisions after Sports, general interests and business (Canadian Resource Centre For Victims Of Crime, 2015). Reporting crime news can project heart breaks, depressions or even fear to the public (Davies, 2011) but media need these kinds of stories because they highlight unique and extreme elements that can draw public attention (Canadian Resource Centre For Victims Of Crime, 2015). …show more content…
In a news stories like rape cases, concealing confidential information is to honour existing state laws to maintain the civil liberties of the injured party as to with the accused (Yarrow, 2013) When interviewing a minor regardless of being a victim or suspect, the supervision parents/guardian is highly recommended (Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 2011) because children are prone to be easily manipulated by leading questions (Bucqueroux & Seymour, 2009). Also the interview must project casually to avoid the interviewee being intimidated (Detarsio, Larson, & Shook, 2003). Some media veterans consider revealing rape-victims’ names as part of freedom of speech or at least in reporting. For Nicholas Kristof, New York Times columnist believes that it is impossible for a rape case to solve if the victim remains anonymous. (Yarrow, 2013) But then again decisions will still be based on journalist’s professional judgements of what are the things the public they think should know to the things that should remain off the record (Bucqueroux & Seymour, …show more content…
For the reason that audience today tends to be more engaged into sensational and graphical events (Roxas-Lim 2001 as cited by Yap, 2011). Part of the job of reporters and journalists is to comply with certain set of ethical code given to them either by management, network, show, and/or self-regulatory organizations. But these ethical standards are not thoroughly implement for the media’s frenzied lifestyle (Yap, 2011) One example of ethical standards being implied in the country is the news report about the 14-year old who died in a hazing incident allegedly by a gang in Bulacan province last June 23. Self-regulating organizations arise as GMA-7 and TV5 committed series of violations on the disclosure of the child’s identity. The Center for Media Freedom & Responsibility (CMFR) Ethics Manual pointed out several indiscretions by the broadcasting networks; the carelessness of the networks in broadcasting the child’s identity and their parents (Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, 2015).
Media Reportage on
In “Reporting the News” by George C. Edwards III, Martin P. Wattenberg, and Robert L. Lineberry, the main idea is how the media determines what to air, where to get said stories that will air, how the media presents the news, and the medias effect on the general public. “Reporting The News” is a very strong and detailed article. The authors’ purpose is to inform the readers of what goes on in the news media. This can be inferred by the authors’ tone. The authors’ overall tone is critical of the topics that are covered. The tone can be determined by the authors’ strong use of transitions, specific examples, and phrases or words that indicate analysis. To summarize, first, the authors’ indicate that the media chooses its stories that will air
Over recent years high profile cases have brought to the forefront, questions of ethics in journalism. The purpose of this thesis will be to investigate the significance and context of a past case in which a journalist and news organization engaged in questionable operations to report the news. The issue being discussed is the considerable attention gained by the local media for the negative role they played in the Sept 27th 1990 “Henry's Publick House” incident. This thesis will address ethical questions within journalism from the viewpoint of the news organization of this case study and their breach in ethics.
Soghoian, Christopher. “When Secrets Aren’t Safe With Journalists”. The Opinion Pages. The New York Times, 26 October 2011. Web. 17 November 2013.
In reference to the media’s role, they have been highlighted for playing a part in maintaining these views by portraying victims in a certain way according to the newsworthiness of each story and their selectiveness (Greer, 2007). Furthermore, there has been an increase in both fictional crime programmes and crime documentaries, with Crimewatch particularly becoming a regular part of British viewing. In the modern context, crime has continued to represent a large proportion of news reporting and with the aid of social networking sites and self-publicity via the internet, journalists are now more able to dig even deeper into the lives of people on whom they wish to report. Newspapers continue to keep the public informed with the latest headlines and the internet has also provided opportunities for members of the public to have their input in blogs.
The aim of this report is to discuss the ways in which the media reports on crimes committed by children and teenagers. Using the James Bulger murder it will analyse and evaluate how the reporting of crime affects public perceptions of children, teenagers and crime. It will consider how the media influences governments, policies and legislation. The report will argue how the reporting of previous, high-profile cases concerning children and crime have impacted on the Youth Justice system and on society.
Strasburger, V., & Donnerstein, E. (1999). Children, Adolescents, and the Media: Issues and Solutions. Pediatrics, 103(1), 129-139.
Research also suggests that the media is a major decider in what crime cases get chosen to air on the news. While it was previously thought that what went on the news was arbitrarily picked or based on the most interesting cases, it turns out that it is not quite the case. J...
It all starts with something as simple as hearing a story that sparks an interest, next the question: "why are we so fascinated by this crime or deviance," follows. Then it's elevated quickly when the belief of the formation of a friendship, understanding or even relating to the story. Empathy sets in. Gears begin to grind, to contemplate, create a reason to dig deeper, to know more, to investigate and find out the true story. The media has been very successful when it comes to gathering, engaging, and keeping the public's fascination. They can equally tap into the public's thoughts to help stimulate and persuade them. They're able to persuade the public because in their mind they have something to prove, whether it's
The media is our main source of knowledge about crime and other issues about the world. It shows us what is happening in the world which is beyond our direct experience and so it is very important. However the media can present a false view of reality and contain bias that the public needs to be aware of. The way the media represents crime can reinforce fear and create moral panic but as media consumers it is our job to critically analyze the content of the news and ask questions about the crimes that are shown in the media as to not be effected by the media in trying to shape our perceptions about crime.
When reporting crime events the media focus only on the negative scenarios that can impact the society, these events are to be know as “newsworthy” (Hall, 1978). Newsworthy crime news is formed through the selective approach taken by the editors where only the main idea of the topic is likely to be reproduced in the media. This is due to crime is not an open event as witnesses are limited hence the selective approach allows the editor to only report the thrilling parts of the crime. (Stuart Hall, 1978: p.53) quoted “‘News’ is the end-product of a complex proves which begins with a systematic sorting and selecting of events and topics according to a socially constructed set of categories”. As a result, this approach has formed bias opinions towards crime reporting as it’s presented in the editor’s point of view (Hall, 1978). The media hence only targets crime with events that is unexpected and events that’s viewed as out of the norm compared to the majority of the society. Alternatively, this changes the view of audiences as they view the society as a ‘problematic reality’ (Hall, 1978). The majority of world is therefore mislead by the fictional reporting of crime as many consumers
...it is the advent of television media that have sparked debate over the integrity of reliable news making. Print media was factual, although sometimes sensational, while electronic media made use of the technologies, such as videotapes and live footage to enhance and exaggerate the drama of the event even further. Many research studies have been conducted to show the effects of the media coverage on crime and how it influences the publics of fear of crime. Mass media has perpetuated a notion that crime is on the increase by portraying events and tragedies in the headlines that are sensational. The public buys into that idea, despite statistical accounts that reflect stable or low crime rates. The more stories people read and watch about crime, the more likely they are to think that crime is out of control. Politicians may then enact legal reforms to sooth the public’s outcry for crime control and prevention. As easy as it may be to hold the media accountable for barraging us with images and ideas that affect our views and beliefs, it important that the public take responsibility for the information that we consume. After all, there is always the “off” button on the remote control.
There are many criminal events that occur every day, however only a few are selected as they are deemed to be newsworthy. Chibnall (1977) claimed that a story is classed as newsworthy if it is dramatized, immediate and involves structured access. ‘The Sun’ could be seen to use all these elements, for example they over emphasize on the violence that occurred and ...
"Journalism Ethics Online Journalism Ethics Gatekeeping." Journalism Ethics for the Global Citizen. Web. 05 Dec. 2010. .
Romer, D, Jamieson, K, Aday, S (2003). Television news and the cultivation of fear of crime. Journal of communication. 53, 88-104