Organized Crime

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Media representations are essential catalysts in illustrating the nature and context of organized crime in Canada and throughout the world. Indeed, various media sources have attempted to portray the realities of a criminal lifestyle while also entertaining, informing, and enlightening each generation of Canadian interested in organized crime over the last century.

The news media play an integral role in keeping the public informed about the activities of organized crime groups operating in Canada. Nightly news stories, television documentaries, and newspaper editorials often outline the criminal activity perpetrated by criminal organizations and gangs. While many of these media representations remain objective in their attempt to circulate news to Canadian citizens, others can take on a considerable degree of partiality and sensationalize the danger posed by these crime groups in an attempt to attract increased viewership. In contrast, through corruption or extortion, news media sources may be under the influence of organized crime groups and not accurately portray the threat the...

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