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The Nature of Crime in Society

In: Social Issues

Submitted By Digi7alFear
Words 2058
Pages 9
Topics

Is the nature of crime in our society accurately presented in the media?
Is the majority of crime in our society violent in nature?

Topic 1: Is the nature of crime in our society accurately presented in the media?
Word Count: 774

Over the course of the 20th century and the transition into the 21st century, media has played a pinnacle point in society. It has developed from not only a means of information but also as a source of entertainment and consequently the line between information and entertainment can be distorted. This paper aims to conclude whether or not the nature of crime in society is accurately portrayed in media. As a result, this paper will include information that demonstrates the differences between crime in society and crime in media. Furthermore, the nature in which media crime framed will be examined. Finally, this paper will demonstrate how media crime distorts public perception in relation to how crime is in reality. It is through an examination of these points that a conclusion will be met, one that projects the crime in media as a false representation of crime in society.
A criminal justice system plays a key role in the functioning of modern societies around world and despite this most people only have the portrayal of media sources to give context to the idea. According to Shrum, the only exposure to a criminal justice system that people perceive is through the media (Tapscott, 2011). Corroboratively, research conducted by the Australian Psychological Society suggests that “media portrayals of crime has shown that in general people overestimate the level of crime in their community, and media representations of crime are often thought to be partly responsible for this” (2013 p. 5). The research conducted by Shrum and the APS indicates that the lack of understanding revolving around the criminal justice system stems from

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