Crime in Media

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
Background of the Study Literally speaking television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome (black-and-white) or colored, with or without accompanying sound. "Television" may also refer specifically to a television set, television program, or television transmission this is according to Wikipedia. Television can be a powerful influence in developing value system and shaping behavior. Having the initial idea of what television can bring to us, there are a lot of things we can get from it, whether positive or negative thoughts. But television won’t stand alone without media. Media as we all know is very essential because it is the channel that brings message to every television set for the viewers. Media and television are somehow inseparable, even though there are a lot of mediums that can be used to send information, like radio, newspaper, and the latest the social media. Television set has become commonplace in homes, businesses and institutions, particularly as a vehicle for advertising, a source of entertainment, and news. Because media is too mainstream they are producing programs that feed the viewer’s mind on what they want and not on what they need. In some ways, media is manipulating the lives of people through what should they like or dislike. Media is the one that sets the trends for them, and they are just to comply with it in order for them to fit in, in today’s society. Most of television programs nowadays contain violence like crimes. We can see crimes in form of news and entertainment. There are even cable channels which focus on crimes like the crime and investigation channel and, there are also American series which the main concept is also like that and is being aired internationally. Being overly exposed to these kinds of programs can cause harm to an individual not just in mental aspect but also to physical and emotion aspect. It can build up a lot of issues to the society, to the family, and to an individual. Violence can become a trend if not controlled properly in television programs. It will become a major problem for everyone. And the possible cause is desensitization of violence to the society and gradually accepts violence as a way to solve problems. There is a wide range of age bracket for viewers, and a lot of regulatory board commission to guide them, but it’s not their responsibility to control the viewers to what program should they be tuned in. In an average rate, children are exposed to television for four hours a day (http://www.aacap.org) and they have the free will to switch channels from time to time, without proper guidance children can watch violent TV shows and could be exposed for several hours which can lead them to absorb what they see and can cause greater aggressiveness in their personality. Sometimes even just watching a single violent show can already cause aggressiveness. Children who view shows in which violence are very realistic, frequently repeated or unpunished, are more likely to imitate what they see. Children with emotional, behavioral, learning or impulse control problems may be more easily influenced by TV violence. The impact of TV violence may be immediately evident in the child's behavior or may surface years later. Young people can even be affected when the family atmosphere shows no tendency toward violence. Today people are very lucky to have a variety of television programs to watch, and a lot of things that can entertain them. With this study people can be aware of what violence can bring to the society and to oneself. In addition, crimes in television must be regulated properly by mature people especially in front of the children; it should have a minimal exposure on television programs when it’s not on a news program. Violence and crimes in television should not be a mainstream in forms of entertainment.
Statement of the Problem
There are a lot of Television programs that shows crimes and violence in it. Some of it is fictional and some are factual. It’s in the viewer’s point of view on how they will take it whether positive or negative. Every TV programs has a downside to it, that’s why viewers should be aware of what they are going to absorb. People are watching television in order for them to be entertained. The question that lies behind this is: “what are the psychological effects of too much watching violent TV programs like crimes to the young audiences?”
Moreover this study intends to respond to the following questions: 1. What type of violence in television programs that attracts the general audience? 2. How crimes and violence does affect the minds of the young audiences? 3. What are the possible outcomes of too much exposure to violence in the society? 4. Who are the qualified audience or viewers to watch violent and crimes in a television programs?
Objectives of the Study This study aims to determine “the cause and effect of violence like crimes in television programs on the viewers or audiences.”
Moreover, this study specifically intends: 1. To know the psychological effect of TV violence like crimes to the viewer’s especially to the children. 2. To find out the consequences of crimes in TV to the society. 3. To analyze what fear it cultivates to the viewers. 4. To identify what type of audience is fit for the program especially when it has violence in it.
Significance of the Study This study is beneficial to the parents, to the television producers, and to the television viewers. When television started during the 1920’s its main purpose is just to advertise products to the general audience but as time goes by television becomes a form of entertainment, various television programs are being produce. With the emergence of technology, media has reach over millions of people nationwide. And now, television set are commonly seen in every household, with this wide scope of viewers, TV producers are more eager to produce shows that will surely hit the mass’s taste. This study intends to raise awareness to the parents, TV producers, and TV viewers that too much exposure to TV violence can lead to greater harm. In today’s generation television is one of the main sources of information and entertainment. That’s why television viewers must know the proper shows fitted to their age, and parental guidance is strictly needed for the children. This study can be of greater help to them to realize that there are specifics shows which are not intended for them to watch. This study will help the viewers of proper guidance in television viewing. Although, crimes cannot be removed totally in news and public affairs but it can be generated by the parents for the children.

Scope of the Study
The study confined itself to the identification of the effects of violence in media like crime as news and crimes as entertainment. This study also will focus on the psychological effect of television violence on the young audiences. The respondents of the study will be the students of the University of the East-Manila, and is required to answers survey or questionnaire method. The researcher will prepare sets of question for them in order to find out the significance of the study. Limitation of the Study Although this research study was carefully prepared, the researcher is still aware that there are shortcomings and limitations. The research study was limited only to Department of Communication students.