NCJ Number
159964
Editor(s)
C L LaMay,
E E Dennis
Date Published
1995
Length
210 pages
Annotation
This book examines the role of the media in presenting to the public information about crime and the criminal justice system.
Abstract
The introductory section presents three essays that place crime reporting in historical and cultural perspective. One essay considers the nature of and market for the National Police Gazette, a popular 19th-Century journal of sex, sports, and violence. Another essay notes how the media's preoccupation with violent and sensational crime creates a public image of the fearful threat of crime at odds with statistical data on crime. The third essay argues for crime reporting that goes beyond a cold recitation of facts about crimes and becomes a story of the details of the behavior, motives, emotions, and consequences for those involved, including the police. The second section offers seven essays that present the authors' personal views on media and crime from people whose experience, in many cases, came at a high price. Issues discussed include the media's treatment of crime victims; how the media can help or hurt persons accused or convicted of crimes; media reporting on drug-control issues and policies; defense attorneys' use of the media; and how the media interact with judges, the court officer, and actors involved in the making of crime movies. In the third section, eight essays present a mix of views on the American media's coverage of crime. The book concludes with a book review that examines the work of five generations of New York City crime reporters. For individual essays, see NCJ-159965-81. 48 suggested readings and a subject index