Crime and Media
Mass media:
- refers to the media technologies used to distribute
information to a wide audience. Its key function is to
communicate various messages through TV, magazines,
newspapers, the internet an advertisement.
Media representation:
The media constructs and portrays individuals, groups and
events through an interplay of various factors, including
editorial decisions – where editors have the final say of
what’s included they add things that grab the audience’s
attention to make sales, biases – they include things that are
always biased and stereotyped fits in with their end goals
of making money – the more controversial it is the more
recognition it gets and the more money they make, societal
norms and economic incentives. Here are some ways in
which this happens:
1. Framing this is where media outlets frame stories by
emphasising certain aspects whilst downplaying other
aspects of a story. E.g. women who have committed
crimes – media tends to focus of their attractiveness
because sex appeal sells.
2. Stereotyping this is where the media can create
stereotypes by depicting individuals or groups in a
narrow and biased manner.
3. Selection and Omission this is where the media
chooses which stories to cover and which stories to
omit (leave out) – this selection can shape the public
agenda and influence what issues or events recall
attention. It leaves out vital information and therefore
leads the audience to make different assumptions,
allowing them to make more money.
4. Sensationalism to attract viewers, the media may
sensationalise events or individuals, emphasising the
drama and conflict, because our current society thrives
off drama. E.g. Covid – media exaggerated the
, widespread and spoke about unrelated topics,
dramatising it.
5. Economic interest this is where media outlets may
be driven by economic considerations such as rating or
sales, in order for them to make money. Without ratings
or sales, it will not function. They show the audience
things they want to see – it’s all about money.
Stereotypes:
They can largely influence perceptions such as gender,
racial and cultural stereotypes. They are important
because that’s what influences the public – happens often
to certain ethnic or religious groups. Older generations are
more likely to hold stereotypes as they’re fixed on their
beliefs and don’t have access to social media to do further
research. Stereotypes related to race, gender and culture
can achieve biases and reinforce harmful preconceptions.
Gender is constantly stereotyped in the media for
example, women are portrayed very differently compared
to men even in present times, such as the language used
to discuss them. Some examples of common stereotypes
in each category includes:
- The "Magical Negro" This stereotype portrays Black
characters as possessing mystical or supernatural powers
only to assist white characters. It reduces black individuals
to ordinary plot devices in the narratives of white
protagonists (heroes).
Examples shown in movies: Genie (Will Smith) in Aladdin
(2019),Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman) in The
Shawshank Redemption (1994) – many people do get
influenced by these roles.
- The "Terrorist" In movies, these characters are always
people of colour. Arab and Middle Eastern characters are
frequently portrayed as terrorists or villains, contributing
to harmful Islamophobia and reinforcing negative
stereotypes about people from these regions. When white
people commit terrorist attacks, the media blames it on
mental health whereas if it was a person of colour, it
Mass media:
- refers to the media technologies used to distribute
information to a wide audience. Its key function is to
communicate various messages through TV, magazines,
newspapers, the internet an advertisement.
Media representation:
The media constructs and portrays individuals, groups and
events through an interplay of various factors, including
editorial decisions – where editors have the final say of
what’s included they add things that grab the audience’s
attention to make sales, biases – they include things that are
always biased and stereotyped fits in with their end goals
of making money – the more controversial it is the more
recognition it gets and the more money they make, societal
norms and economic incentives. Here are some ways in
which this happens:
1. Framing this is where media outlets frame stories by
emphasising certain aspects whilst downplaying other
aspects of a story. E.g. women who have committed
crimes – media tends to focus of their attractiveness
because sex appeal sells.
2. Stereotyping this is where the media can create
stereotypes by depicting individuals or groups in a
narrow and biased manner.
3. Selection and Omission this is where the media
chooses which stories to cover and which stories to
omit (leave out) – this selection can shape the public
agenda and influence what issues or events recall
attention. It leaves out vital information and therefore
leads the audience to make different assumptions,
allowing them to make more money.
4. Sensationalism to attract viewers, the media may
sensationalise events or individuals, emphasising the
drama and conflict, because our current society thrives
off drama. E.g. Covid – media exaggerated the
, widespread and spoke about unrelated topics,
dramatising it.
5. Economic interest this is where media outlets may
be driven by economic considerations such as rating or
sales, in order for them to make money. Without ratings
or sales, it will not function. They show the audience
things they want to see – it’s all about money.
Stereotypes:
They can largely influence perceptions such as gender,
racial and cultural stereotypes. They are important
because that’s what influences the public – happens often
to certain ethnic or religious groups. Older generations are
more likely to hold stereotypes as they’re fixed on their
beliefs and don’t have access to social media to do further
research. Stereotypes related to race, gender and culture
can achieve biases and reinforce harmful preconceptions.
Gender is constantly stereotyped in the media for
example, women are portrayed very differently compared
to men even in present times, such as the language used
to discuss them. Some examples of common stereotypes
in each category includes:
- The "Magical Negro" This stereotype portrays Black
characters as possessing mystical or supernatural powers
only to assist white characters. It reduces black individuals
to ordinary plot devices in the narratives of white
protagonists (heroes).
Examples shown in movies: Genie (Will Smith) in Aladdin
(2019),Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman) in The
Shawshank Redemption (1994) – many people do get
influenced by these roles.
- The "Terrorist" In movies, these characters are always
people of colour. Arab and Middle Eastern characters are
frequently portrayed as terrorists or villains, contributing
to harmful Islamophobia and reinforcing negative
stereotypes about people from these regions. When white
people commit terrorist attacks, the media blames it on
mental health whereas if it was a person of colour, it
