Social media and crime

By- DIVYESH YADAV (REG. NO. 19BIT0270)

SEJAL BHARTI ( REG. NO. 19BIT0286)
MAINAK GHOSH (REG. NO. 19BEI0085)

SUBMITTED TO :- PROF. KUBENDRAN A

SLOT :- B2
INTRO:-
The relationship between crime and mass media’s perception about it are essential to formulate criminal justice system.
Mass media play a crucial role in public policymaking and the media coverage of crime news stories helps to set the
agenda and reinforce support for punitive policies.

Review of research literature suggests that there is an interchange between media representations of crime, criminal
behaviour, and the public policy on criminal justice system. Crime stories are commonly presented as dramatic
entertainment, and infrequently one can read an in-depth analysis of the legal, criminal justice, or societal problems that are
concerned . Once the media places its issues in prominent positions and set the agenda, the media subsequently primes
audiences to believe that those issues merit more attention. Two notable studies that offer critique on representations of
crime in the media, and their impact on public policy: R. Surette’s Media, Crime and Justice and K. Beckett and T. Sasson’s
The Politics of Injustice. Media are the primary source of political information for most of the Indian citizens. Media’s role in
a democratic polity is to provide transparency and accountability, and to raise the public awareness and to facilitate a place
for public discussion.
 POSITIVE EFFECTS
Statistics and Reporting

While statistics can lead to an overreaction or fear of crime, they can similarly have
positive and practical manifestations. For example, if you live in an area that offers
statistically insignificant crime incidences, you can receive discounts on homeowners
and automobile insurance. Such an area also can attract new business or provide an
assurance of safety so there are more people patronizing public places. Just as fears
of high crime can have a negative impact, a perception of low crime also can lead to
a self-fulfilling prophecy: an increased public presence can deter criminals.
 Safety and Witness Tips

Some police departments, such as those in Tulsa, Oklahoma,

incorporate safety or practical tips with their periodic crime
reports. For example, in mentioning a rape crime, they may offer
that few rapes are “stranger rapes,” committed instead by a family
member or acquaintance. Media will, in turn, often repeat this
information, and good journalists and editors take it one step
further and offer a series of tips to help educate the public, create
awareness and help their audiences implement good practices.
The media also offers a venue for people to call in tips, or
information, about a crime anonymously.
Garnering Publicity for Community Action and Events

National Night Out has become a national event exercised in

communities across the country to demonstrate commitment and
solidarity in crime prevention. The media’s announcements and
coverage of this event, or movement, has played and continues to
play a large part in its popularity. It has also motivated communities
to start similar movements in individual neighborhoods, such as
organizing community policing or enacting a neighborhood or
block watch program.
Legal and Judicial Pressure

Media coverage can influence law enforcement and the judicial process in
both positive and negative ways. A chain reaction can occur with the onset
of media coverage, resulting in public pressure with demonstrations or
other public displays, that can free a wrongfully accused or convicted
person, commute a sentence or even mobilize a pro bono legal team for
someone unable to afford adequate representation. In general, the public
should be encouraged to have a voice in their community, while police
and judicial officials should balance that attention with the interests of
justice.
 NEGATIVE EFFECTS

HOW MEDIA'S IRRESPONSIBILITY CAN IMPACT THE PERVADING CRIME SYSTEM IN OUR COUNTRY

Case study 1 (Knowingly creating havoc )

Among many such illicit act displayed by our media resulted in hammering the wheel of democracy. One
such case happened when Just after the ayodha verdict delivered by our honourable supreme court.The
chief judge of supreme court recognized the role of indian media in ensuring peace and harmony to stawl
any plan of pogrom or communal violence . Hence supreme court enthrusted the media houses of our
country with a responsibility of not showing any celebration of the decision delivered by sc It may result in
polarization . But once again Indian media prioritized their TRP rate instead of using the platform as an
invaluable position to create a major difference in our country . Their irresponsibilities created an
ambience of dishonour and sinking confidence for the greatest tool of democracy and many victims are
preparing themselves for wreaking vengeance from this insidious institution .
 Case study 2. ( Unknowingly campaigning for violence)
When the 26/11 attack stained our Indian calendars with the blood of innocent compatriots
and painted the date with the wisdom of brave martyrs who fought till the last breath
ensuring the safety of "mumbaikars , a certain sector didn't prove their allegiance. THE
INDIAN MEDIA - The way they covered stories during the gun battles and fiascos broke out
during the cold chilly nights of mumbai , potrayed a very grotesque picture of Indian media .
They behaved like a capitalist private ownership only interested in their profit . Their live
stories were telecasted worldwide and it served the purpose of the "villains" of 26/11 too.
The Supreme Court had dedicated an entire section and several pages in its judgement in
Md. Ajmal Md. Amir Kasab vs the State Of Maharashtra on 29 August 2012 to the conduct of
the media and how it endangered operations during 26/11
The sc observes :
"From the transcripts, especially those from Taj Hotel and Nariman House,

it is evident that the terrorists who were entrenched at those places and

more than them, their collaborators across the border were watching the

full show on TV. In the transcripts, there are many references to the
media

reports and the visuals being shown on the TV screen

RISE OF FAKE NEWS AND CRAFTED FORGED PROPAGANDAS CAN CREATE A DIFFERENCE-

The perpetuation of such rumors through social media is not a new phenomenon
in India, and, over the past decade, India has seen multiple violent incidents
triggered by online posts.In 2012, during what became known as the
"Northeastern exodus," thousands of people hailing from northeastern India
boarded trains from Bangalore in southern India to Guwahati, following posts
suggesting violent attacks on northeastern migrants.In 2013, the Muzzaffarnagar
riots in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, which left over 60 dead and thousands
displaced, were triggered by a fake video circulating on social media, which was
rumored to depict a Muslim mob brutally murdering a Hindu youth.
A report from a media group called peing human states , there has been more
than 200 debates in top 4 news channels(Based on trp) of Indian media over the
past 4 months of 2019 . The 4 news channels and their shows involved in are
Dangal(aaj tak) , aar par (News 18) , Tal thokke ( Zee news ) and kurukshetra (India
tv) ." These shows behave less like objective news programs and behaves more
like mouth pieces of incumbent bjp/Rss establishment and ultranationalist agenda
." Out of those 200 debates hosted , 80 of them was solely dedicated to pakistan .
14 on the issue of ram mandir . Where as only 1 debate addressed the issue of
pmc bank scam which caused more than lakh death. Quelling industry , drowing
poverty , unimaginable condition of the marginalized section never made it to the
news , as it won't be able to satiate the purpose of media houses of gaining TRP.
CONCLUSION:-
The relationship between the criminal justice system and the media system has been the subject of research,
speculation, and commentary throughout the twentieth century. This relationship may be understood in terms of
dependency relations operative between these massive systems (Ball-Rokeach and De Fleur). Put most simply,
neither the media nor the criminal justice system could operate effectively without the other. The criminal justice
system is a resource for the media system in that it affords one of the common sources of news and entertainment
stories. The classical surrogate scout role of the media, whereby they monitor the environment for actual and
potential threats to individual and collective welfare, affords a powerful way for the media to attract their audiences.
People must constantly update their understanding and ability to orient themselves to the environments in which
they act. Media crime stories, whether the news or entertainment genre, instruct and update these understandings.
Commercial media organizations translate this relationship with their audience into the profit that flows from
advertisers. The media system's capacities to reach vast audiences of citizens and policymakers also positions it
as an essential resource for the criminal justice system and all of its attendant judicial and law enforcement
organizations. For the criminal justice system to operate effectively, it must have the authority that derives from
people's willingness to grant it legitimacy, and media storytelling can profoundly affect this process. Allocation of
scarce resources to the criminal justice system also depends upon success in the struggle to get "its" story
positively framed and widely disseminated to media audiences. These macro dependency relations serve as
context for examinations of specific aspects of media, criminal justice, public, and decision-maker relations.
CONCLUSION
Commercial media organizations translate this relationship with their
audience into the profit that flows from advertisers. The media system's
capacities to reach vast audiences of citizens and policymakers also
positions it as an essential resource for the criminal justice system and all of
its attendant judicial and law enforcement organizations. For the criminal
justice system to operate effectively, it must have the authority that derives
from people's willingness to grant it legitimacy, and media storytelling can
profoundly affect this process. Allocation of scarce resources to the criminal
justice system also depends upon success in the struggle to get "its" story
positively framed and widely disseminated to media audiences. These macro
dependency relations serve as context for examinations of specific aspects of
media, criminal justice, public, and decision-maker relations.
……….. ………..

THANK YOU