Does Media News Coverage Encourage Crime?

Does Media News Coverage Encourage Crime?

Introduction

In a survey conducted in 1997, ninety five percent of the 1,500 people that responded said they wanted more information about crime. Over the years, there have been many studies of News Media and crime coverage. This survey indicates that viewers want to see crime. The more violent the crime the more there is interest. “People want to know about crime.” (Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission, 2002). The News Media commonly uses extensive coverage of violent crime to increase ratings. With this emphasis on violence, is it possible that this type of news coverage incites copycat crimes? In the pages that follow, we will discuss the positive and negative effects that the media has on crime.

Media Coverage and Influences

The media has the power to influence viewer’s understanding of reality, by the way the story is reported. The information reported is often, as the person reporting the story perceives it...