Mass Media and Crime Investigation

The freedom of expression is not an absolute Constitutional

guarantee. And a regulation of one’s freedom of expression may be

curtailed through a valid exercise of the States police power.

A valid exercise of police power by the State will allow it

to interfere with constitutionally protected rights – including

the right of freedom of expression and of the press. Although

police power has no definition, case law has clearly and

consistently shown that it may be invoked in all aspects of

modern day life provided that the requisites of the Constitution

and Law are observed. Hence, Broadcast Media – being merely a

privilege emanating from the sovereign power of the State – is

subject to regulation by the state by virtue of its police power.

Legal infringement on the freedom of expression, (2019)

Media handling in serious crime investigations is a complex

issue. On the one hand, the media provide excellent access to the

general public and can help generate important information for an

enquiry. On the other hand, the media can sap the resources of an

investigation, mislead the public, and interfere with the

investigative and legal processes Feist, A. (1999).

Mass media and crime investigation plays an eminent or vital

role in our society. These are the platforms where people may be
informed, make them aware of the happenings around in a specific

community or even around the globe. During the last decade, mass

media and crime investigation are considered as a very efficient

tool in investigating and acquiring information.

The media and investigate journalism have become very

crucial for bringing the allegations, reasons, corruptions and

consequences of criminal actions into light.

In our daily settings, there are various roles of mass media

to investigate any positive or negative consequences of a

happening or an incident. The most common role of mass media in

today’s world for investigation is through different sources.

Interviews conducted with senior investigators and media liaison

officers revealed that media handling issues arise in all

component parts of an investigation: from the initial discovery

of a crime, to the trial, and for some cases, the appeal process.

In addition, it was found that media handling affected a number

of the overarching aims of the police service, including those

relating to efficient investigations, minimizing the fear of

crime and ensuring a fair and just society. The following are the

common tools used;

a. Mass media includes several sources like newspapers,

electronic media, radio and internet which bears a variety

of information related to people, their financial statuses,

 identities and other details. Mass media plays an eminent

role to extract such information available on internet for

investigations.

b. Investigations not only about the crimes but can be

conducted on the cases as well. Case study investigation may

also be carried out for educational purposes. Analysis of

documents like lawsuits, legal documents, tax records,

government reports etc. may be carried out via information

that is available on different sources of mass media.

c. Investigation on technical issues, business perspectives,

government issues, corruption and political issues may also

be carried out by the statements, legal documents and

records of people available on mass media.

d. Mass media helps in investigation about the social frauds

and provides leads to catch the criminals.

Mass media allows to investigate and acquire data of federal

and state information on the account of freedom of information

law (Psychology.org.au, 2019).

 
 Through modernization, we cannot omit the fact that media

handling in serious crime investigation is a complex issue. On

the other hand, the media provide excellent access to the

general public and can help generate important information for

an inquiry.

Certain reports showed a significant effect which lead to a

concern that some media reporting represents a distorted view

of the real experiences of a crime in the community. Also,

there are inaccurate reports that may fuel prejudice against

certain groups or may prompt the imposition of overly strict

measures to fight crime. Furthermore, community members may

also isolate themselves through misplaced fear of crime.

Therefore, there is a big role of media I shaping public

ideas. Television, internet and print media have great

influence over public perceptions and understanding of crime.

These media can spread the message that the world is a

frightening place. Media reporting often highlights random and

unexpected crimes.

As a result, individuals can imagine themselves as potential

victims of such events. Sensationalist media reporting

contributes to moral panic and media reports seldom analyze

underlying causes of crime, such as social factors.

 Parents on the other hand has a vital role in guiding their

child as the case may be. One of the most common guide that

parents can provide for their child is that they have to stay

informed about what the child is watching or reading for an

instance. An open communication is an effective tool to

promote awareness in this scenario. Enforce clear rules about

the type and amount of media consumed. Here in our settings,

television programs are being guided and regulated by Movie

and Television Review and Classification Board or MTRCB for

its acronym. Here, this agency provides a guide wherein their

viewers are guided by theme, harassment, language, sexual

content, horror or drugs. In this way, viewers are guided

accordingly with respect to the vision of a certain episode.

Next role of parents is that whenever children watch programs

or read report parents or elderly must help them to interpret

the material they are watching. Reassure children about their

security and safety and further discuss how to treat others

and share values about the sort of society you support.  

In a study conducted by Dowler (2018), on the effect that the

media has on the public revolves around two interconnected

issues. Does coverage of sensationalistic and violent crime

create fear among the general public and does this fear influence
criminal justice policy attitudes? Review of the research

indicates that there are mixed results regarding the influence of

the news media on creating an attitude of fear among the general

public (Surette, 1998). In an early study, Gerbner et al (1980)

hypothesized that heavy viewing of television violence leads to

fear rather than aggression. Gerbner et al (1980) find that

individuals who watch a large amount of television are more

likely to feel a greater threat from crime, believe crime is more

prevalent than statistics indicate, and take more precautions

against crime.

They find that crime portrayed on television is significantly

more violent, random, and dangerous than crime in the "real"

world. The researchers argue that viewers internalize these

images and develop a "mean world view" or a scary image of

reality. This view is characterized by "mistrust, cynicism,

alienation, and perceptions of higher than average levels of

threat of crime in society" (Surette, 1990).

Further studies on the relationship between fear and

television viewing indicate a direct and strong relationship

(Barille, 1984; Bryant, Carveth and Brown, 1981; Hawkins and

Pingree, 1980; Morgan, 1983; Williams, Zabrack and Joy, 1982,

Weaver and Wakshlag, 1986). Conversely, Rice and Anderson (1990)

find a weak, positive association between television viewing and

fear of crime, alienation and distrust. However, multiple

regression analysis fails to support the hypothesis that

television viewing has a direct, substantial effect on fear of

crime.

In a review of the research, Heath and Gilbert (1996) find

that the relationship between media presentations and crime is

dependent on characteristics of the message and the audience.

Presentation of large amounts of local crime news engenders

increased fear among the larger public, (Brillon, 1987; Sheley

and Ashkins, 1981) while the presentation of large amounts of

non-local crime news has the opposite effect by making the local

viewers feel safe in comparison to other areas (Liska and

Baccaglini, 1990). In addition Chiricos et al (2000) finds that

local and national news are related to fear of crime. The effect

of local news on fear of crime is stronger for residents in high

crime areas and those who experienced victimization.

In terms of audience effects, fear of victimization will

depend on who is viewing the crime stories. Research indicates

that residents in high crime urban areas who watch a large amount

of television are more likely to be afraid of crime (Doob and

MacDonald, 1979; Gerbner et al, 1980). Another important factor

is whether audience members have direct victim experience or

share characteristics that make them crime vulnerable. Research

indicates that media sources will be more meaningful when direct

experience is lacking (Gunter, 1987; Liska and Baccaglini, 1990;

Skogan and Maxfield, 1981).

For example, Liska and Baccaglini (1990) find that media

influence was strongest for females, whites and the elderly,

which are segments of the population least likely to be

victimized. In another study, Chiricos et al (1997) find that the

frequency of watching television news and listening to the news

on the radio is significantly related to fear. Their research

indicates that television news consumption is significantly

related to fear only for white females between the ages of 30 and

44. This is similar to other findings that suggest that watching

crime on television has a greater effect for women and whites,

who have low victim risk compared to males and non whites

(Gerbner et al., 1980).

Examining the National Opinion on Crime and Justice (NOCJS),

Haghighi and Sorensen (1996) find that local media attention to

crime was significantly related to fear of sexual assault;

getting mugged, beaten up, knifed or shot; and being burglarized

while at home. Fear of crime was not significantly related to

fear of car-jacking, being murdered, or being burglarized while

not at home. However, they did not find the source of crime news

to be a factor in fear of crime. For example, those who received

their crime news from radio, newspapers or television had similar

levels of worry about crime. In addition, their findings indicate

that crime show viewers were more likely to worry about being

sexually assaulted; getting beaten up, knifed or shot and getting

killed. However, crime-drama viewing is not related to fear of

carjacking, mugging, or burglary.

Researchers argue that public fear and anxiety is inextricably

connected with public pressure for solutions to crime problems. A

number of research studies focus on whether media depictions of

crime influence public attitudes towards criminal justice policy.

They find that presentations of crime news increase public

pressure for more effective policing (Garofalo, 1981a) and more

punitive responses to crime (Barille, 1984; Surette, 1998).

Furthermore, Surette (1998:) claims that the news media feature

agents of crime control as negatively ineffective and incompetent

which results in support for more police, more prisons, and more

money for the criminal justice system. Reith (1999) finds that

for white males, crime show viewing is related to high levels of

aggression towards those who break the law, and low levels

against those who defend it. She also found that fear of

victimization and fear of victimization based on real life

experiences did not have a mediating effect on the relationship.

In addition, Oliver and Armstrong (1995) find that frequent

viewing and greater enjoyment of reality-based crime shows are

related to holding punitive attitudes. However, frequent viewing

and greater enjoyment of fictional crime shows are not related to

holding punitive attitudes. (Albany.edu – author: Kenneth Dowler)

Media researchers have coined the term ‘newsworthiness’ as the

criterion by which news producers or gatekeepers (editors and

sub-editors) select events which are to be presented to the

public as news (Surette, 1998). While it is difficult to

overstate the positive contribution of the media to serious crime

investigations, we should acknowledge that problems can and do

arise with media handling in a range of areas.

Some of these are simply a function of the perceived

‘newsworthiness’ of a particular offence which can either excite

overwhelming interest from the media or otherwise restrict its

coverage. Other difficulties relate to the way in which

information is interpreted by the media, or is a result of the

activities of some journalists interfering with witnesses, scenes

or more generally acting in a way that threatens the legal

process.

The difficulties which an investigation may encounter with the

media are part of the context of the enquiry. As many of the

interviewees identified, ignoring the media does not mean that

they go away. In fact denial is more likely to accentuate

difficulties. Not providing information to the press will

encourage speculation and journalist-based investigations and

encourage mis-reporting.

In particular, media handling requires skills to anticipate

the press and public response, as well as legal consequences of

actions and inaction. Indeed, perhaps the most frequently

observed skill in devising an effective media strategy was an

ability to anticipate the consequences of any decisions

associated with media handling, the media interpretation of the

crime and the investigation.

In present times, mass media in delivering crime

investigations is impressed with public interest. It has so much

to do with the terms and languages that will be used so that the

public will not be distorted Feist, A. (1999).