Media Coverage of Organized Crime -- Police Managers Survey

• NCJ Number: 205732
• Author(s): Judith Dubois
• Date Published: May 2003
• Length: 35 pages
• Sale Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: Downloaded on June 10, 2004.

Annotation

This study presents survey findings that examined how media coverage of organized crime and its potential influence on public opinion were perceived by Canadian police managers and whether media coverage of organized crime influenced police managers’ activities.

Abstract

The news media is seen as having tremendous power in a democratic society. The media’s coverage of current events gives the public an opportunity to inquire and develop their own views about the world. Understanding the media’s influence, this Canadian report focuses specifically on organized crime and addresses the questions: (1) if media coverage of organized crime influences public opinion can the police managers’ perception of public opinion influence their decisions and policies regarding organized crime and (2) how can the media influence the police managers’ decision making process? Findings are presented from questionnaires and interviews with 20 of the most senior police managers in Canada. Findings are divided in two parts: (1) police managers’ perceptions of media coverage of organized crime and (2) the influence of organized crime on public opinion and the influence of the media and public opinion on police managers’ decisions. Police managers perceived that the media tended to focus too much on organized crime activities that involved violence, thereby underplaying organized crime activities with no apparent violence, such as money laundering and economic crimes. Some police managers felt that the media never provides a comprehensive view of the actual causes and overall impact of organized crime in Canada. Almost all police managers interviewed stated that public opinion regarding organized crime was definitely influenced by the media, having a negative impact. About two-thirds of the respondents felt they had to take public opinion into account in their decisions and actions. However, police managers generally contend that law enforcement priorities and procedures are not affected by the media, but they do take into account what is disseminated to the media. References