AC 1.5-Explain the impact of media representation on the
public perception of crime. [6 marks]
Moral panics
A moral panic occurs when the media exaggerates the prevalence of serious crime
and the danger of becoming a victim. This has been shown to be true in newspapers,
television, and radio content that exaggerates crime rates or how it is depicted. The
way forensics and crime scene investigations are typically portrayed in
entertainment programs is distorted in many ways. A CSI may spend many hours at
the crime scene or have their job spread out over several days depending on the
complexity of the scene.
The Madeleine McCann story has caused moral panic, with parents and carers afraid
to take holidays due to the fear of paedophiles. The most common type of
kidnapping is general kidnapping, where the kidnappers are motivated by ransom or
concessions. Leslie Wilkins argues that the media can lead to a spiralling
amplification of deviance by charging and implying that the parents had constructed
a façade in order to gain publicity and financial gain. This stigmatised the parents and
branded them criminals.
Changing Public Perceptions
The influence of media has an effect on many aspects of human life, which can
include, individual views and beliefs, or skewing a person’s knowledge of a specific
topic due to being provided false information.
Since the 2001 Islamist terrorist strikes on the US, the media has generally reported
negatively on Islam and Muslims. The general public's sentiments have changed as a
result, and Islamophobia has increased in particular. This explains the surge in anti-
Muslim hate crimes that has been observed in recent years. Changing public ’s
opinion also has an impact on government policies and police. For instance, the
government has given police more authority to "stop and search" people in response
to the public's fear of terrorist attacks.
Stereotyping
Stereotyping is a generalisation that unfairly singles out a particular group of
individuals, such as "all young people are lazy". It is a major part of the criminal
justice system, with the "typical delinquent" being suggested by Aaron Cicourel.
Media representations of criminals often resemble police stereotypes, such as run-
down neighbourhoods or council housing estates.
public perception of crime. [6 marks]
Moral panics
A moral panic occurs when the media exaggerates the prevalence of serious crime
and the danger of becoming a victim. This has been shown to be true in newspapers,
television, and radio content that exaggerates crime rates or how it is depicted. The
way forensics and crime scene investigations are typically portrayed in
entertainment programs is distorted in many ways. A CSI may spend many hours at
the crime scene or have their job spread out over several days depending on the
complexity of the scene.
The Madeleine McCann story has caused moral panic, with parents and carers afraid
to take holidays due to the fear of paedophiles. The most common type of
kidnapping is general kidnapping, where the kidnappers are motivated by ransom or
concessions. Leslie Wilkins argues that the media can lead to a spiralling
amplification of deviance by charging and implying that the parents had constructed
a façade in order to gain publicity and financial gain. This stigmatised the parents and
branded them criminals.
Changing Public Perceptions
The influence of media has an effect on many aspects of human life, which can
include, individual views and beliefs, or skewing a person’s knowledge of a specific
topic due to being provided false information.
Since the 2001 Islamist terrorist strikes on the US, the media has generally reported
negatively on Islam and Muslims. The general public's sentiments have changed as a
result, and Islamophobia has increased in particular. This explains the surge in anti-
Muslim hate crimes that has been observed in recent years. Changing public ’s
opinion also has an impact on government policies and police. For instance, the
government has given police more authority to "stop and search" people in response
to the public's fear of terrorist attacks.
Stereotyping
Stereotyping is a generalisation that unfairly singles out a particular group of
individuals, such as "all young people are lazy". It is a major part of the criminal
justice system, with the "typical delinquent" being suggested by Aaron Cicourel.
Media representations of criminals often resemble police stereotypes, such as run-
down neighbourhoods or council housing estates.
