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According to McGregor (1995) ‘Crime News is Prime News’. Critically discuss the manner in which crime is reported in New Zealand. What are the potential consequences of New Zealand based media representations of crime for your understanding of crime a

“The police beat are all about people, what makes them tick, what makes them become heroes or homicidal maniacs. It has it all greed, sex, violence, comedy and tragedy” (Buchanan, E “A coaching method”). This comment from former Miami Herald police reporter, Edna Buchanan further emphasises the theory that the mass media worldwide thrives on stories which sell; Sex, violence and tragedy sell. It is the stories relating to crime, which holds all of these attributes as well as the ones mentioned by Edna Buchanan. So it is not surprising, that on a daily basis we are bombarded with crime stories. It is essential to have an understanding on the manner in which crime is reported in New Zealand, as many of us have an idealistic view on the media seeing it as an ‘education eye on the country’ which tells it like it is. Unfortunately this is not often the case. With every action, there are always consequences, large and small. The media and the way in which they report crime storie...

Posted by: Anthony Pacella

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