Criminal Justice System
The Relationship between the Media and the Criminal Justice System
The modern mass media, an all-encompassing body to which contemporary western society stringently relies upon as a source of information, is the major outlet to which the masses are able to readily and easily access news and current events, regardless of the location or the time in which it occurs throughout the world (Mutz, 1989). Whilst strictly, the media may only suggest an opinion for an individual to uptake, constant reiteration of a specific viewpoint from numerous media outlets may eventually create doubts in even the most resilient minds, further emphasizing the vast influence of the media (Ericson, 1995). The vast majority of individuals lack the necessary knowledge …show more content…
This allegation sent fear and anxiety throughout the Baulkham Hills region and police had encouraged all individuals to remain cautious and recommended for individuals to refrain from travelling alone at night. This example highlights the way in which the public responds to media reporting on crime and illustrates the possible fear and moral panic that can be caused amongst citizens who are at risk for repeated crime offences as victims. According to ABC News (2013), following a widespread investigation, the police have now established that the teenage girls statement was fictitious. As a result of this conclusion, the Commander of the Sex Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec has been able to inform the public of his relief, where he says, “relieved for the fact I can tell many parents and young people in the Hills District that it is safe to walk around there” (ABC News, 2013). This specific example is pertinent to the anxious way in which the public responds to the media’s reporting on crime. It is important to note that the mass media plays a vital role in the construction of criminality and the criminal justice system and directly influences the behaviour of most individuals (Kidd-Hewitt, …show more content…
The public’s dependence on the information and insight disseminated through the media, in response to procedures within the criminal justice system has drastically changed to a decline in assurance amongst society. The relationship between the media and the criminal justice system plays a vital role in society’s beliefs of the success and effectiveness of fairness. The public’s reliance on the media as a source of facts, knowledge and entertainment creates a discrepancy between goals chased and goals achieved. Nevertheless, the public carries on relying on the media as a way in which to comprehend and evaluate the criminal justice system (Townsend, 2013). The media portrays crime through a number of differing angles and perspectives and this allows for the public to respond in multiple ways in response to the media’s reporting on crime. Furthermore, crime reporting by individuals and society as a whole helps to impact upon the development and implementation of criminal justice
The modern mass media, an all-encompassing body to which contemporary western society stringently relies upon as a source of information, is the major outlet to which the masses are able to readily and easily access news and current events, regardless of the location or the time in which it occurs throughout the world (Mutz, 1989). Whilst strictly, the media may only suggest an opinion for an individual to uptake, constant reiteration of a specific viewpoint from numerous media outlets may eventually create doubts in even the most resilient minds, further emphasizing the vast influence of the media (Ericson, 1995). The vast majority of individuals lack the necessary knowledge …show more content…
This allegation sent fear and anxiety throughout the Baulkham Hills region and police had encouraged all individuals to remain cautious and recommended for individuals to refrain from travelling alone at night. This example highlights the way in which the public responds to media reporting on crime and illustrates the possible fear and moral panic that can be caused amongst citizens who are at risk for repeated crime offences as victims. According to ABC News (2013), following a widespread investigation, the police have now established that the teenage girls statement was fictitious. As a result of this conclusion, the Commander of the Sex Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent John Kerlatec has been able to inform the public of his relief, where he says, “relieved for the fact I can tell many parents and young people in the Hills District that it is safe to walk around there” (ABC News, 2013). This specific example is pertinent to the anxious way in which the public responds to the media’s reporting on crime. It is important to note that the mass media plays a vital role in the construction of criminality and the criminal justice system and directly influences the behaviour of most individuals (Kidd-Hewitt, …show more content…
The public’s dependence on the information and insight disseminated through the media, in response to procedures within the criminal justice system has drastically changed to a decline in assurance amongst society. The relationship between the media and the criminal justice system plays a vital role in society’s beliefs of the success and effectiveness of fairness. The public’s reliance on the media as a source of facts, knowledge and entertainment creates a discrepancy between goals chased and goals achieved. Nevertheless, the public carries on relying on the media as a way in which to comprehend and evaluate the criminal justice system (Townsend, 2013). The media portrays crime through a number of differing angles and perspectives and this allows for the public to respond in multiple ways in response to the media’s reporting on crime. Furthermore, crime reporting by individuals and society as a whole helps to impact upon the development and implementation of criminal justice