CRIME IN MEDIA

Is the nature of crime in our society accurately presented by the media?

An opinion has been formed that crime is not accurately presented through the media within our society. In this essay, it will be demonstrated that through statistics and facts how this opinion is created. The media has a powerful role in how crime is seen within the community, and despite the statistics and information that is present to us we rely heavily on informed that is presented to us through media outlets such as newspaper, television, social media. Crime is delivered to the community through a variety a media exposure.

In the text book, Introduction into Crime and Criminology, Chapter 1, the literature discusses at great lengths that media portrayal, is not consistent with what official records and researches inform us. The media presents crime as predominately of violent nature. Often it can be argued if the increase on the coverage of real crime is intended increased entertainment rather than assisting police.

Many people argue that crime is based on its newsworthiness, and ability to sell to the community. For example crimes along the lines of white collar, pollution etc do not keep the same attention as more violent crimes like murder, assault. What ever the nature of a particular crime story, media is always selective, it is always a result of decision making process about which crimes, criminals and events are