NCJ Number
139385
Journal
Media Studies Journal Volume: 6 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1992), 109-118
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A television critic for the Los Angeles Times maintains that television shows, including mysteries, news broadcasts, and cop series, depict an exaggeratedly perilous society that is decimated by crime and dominated by hardened criminals.
Abstract
A typical newscast in Los Angeles carried six leading stories about multiple murders and two additional stories about a fire and cemeteries. This author maintains that such broadcasts fuel public panic unnecessarily instead of providing an encouraging and unifying message. He points to statistics showing a decline in the probability for most Americans of becoming crime victims. But on television, violence is increasingly part of the plot in shows including "Silk Stalkings," "America's Most Wanted," and other series that in some way feature crime. Daytime talk shows also sell themselves to viewers and advertisers with themes ranging from sensational crimes to serial killers. Syndicated crime- driven tabloid programs blur the distinction between fiction and reality, adding to the national fear of crime that is far out of proportion to the actual threat.