NCJ Number
38660
Date Published
1975
Length
42 pages
Annotation
PROCEEDINGS OF A CONFERENCE IN WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES MET TO EXAMINE THE EFFECT THAT THE PRESENTATION OF NEWS MIGHT HAVE ON THE RATE OF CRIME IN ENGLAND.
Abstract
A BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CONFERENCE IS FIRST PROVIDED. THE OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE WAS TO DISCUSS WHETHER MEDIA COVERAGE OF CRIME BLUNTS PEOPLE'S SENSITIVITY TO VIOLENCE, THE EXTENT TO WHICH MEDIA COVERAGE OF CRIME GLAMORIZES THE CRIMINAL, AND THE ROLE THAT THE MEDIA COULD PLAY IN REDUCING THE ATTRACTIVENESS OF CRIME AND ENCOURAGING THE QUALITY OF URBAN LIFE. IT IS NOTED THAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS OFFERED SHARP CRITICISM OF THE MEDIA FOR THEIR COVERAGE OF CRIME. AMONG THE SPECIFIC TOPICS EXAMINED ARE THE RIGHTS OF THE OFFENDER WITH RESPECT TO MEDIA COVERAGE, THE ROLE OF THE PRESS IN INVESTIGATING CRIME, AND THE POSSIBILITIES OF THE MEDIA PREJUDICING COURT CASES THROUGH PUBLICITY.