Starter How does media aid crime? How many different ways can you come up with?

Media and Crime

Crime and Media: Key Themes Media representations of crime Media as a cause of crime Moral panics Global Cyber- Crime

Mass media and crime The media and crime  The media over-represent violence and sex crimes – this make us think its happening more and that most killers are strange psychopaths – in most cases the perpetrator is know to the victim.  The media portray criminals and victims as older and more middle- class.  Media coverage exaggerates police success in clearing up cases.  The media exaggerates the risk of victimisation, especially women.  The media overplay extraordinary crimes but underplay ordinary crimes. News as socially constructed ‘The news is not discovered but manufactured’ says Cohen and Young. What they mean is what gets coverage depends on what has happened, who is involved, when and where. Crime by its very definition is abnormal and ticks most of these news worthy boxes. Fictional crime Our ideas of crime don’t just come from the news. Fictional representation of crime comes from books, films and TV shows. They tend to match the incorrect stereotypes of the media. Can the media cause crime or fear? Most studies show media violence has at most a small and limited negative effect on audiences. Studies do show those that watch TV for longer periods of time are more likely to be fearful of becoming a victim. How could the media cause crime?  Imitation – copycats.  Desensitisation.  Learning criminal techniques.  Desire for unaffordable goods.  Glamorising offending.

Mass media and crime Deviancy amplification spiral This idea says that sensationalist reporting by the newspapers distorts the act of crime or deviance and increases public awareness. Public pressure is put on the police and courts to act. This creates a moral panic where certain acts or groups are seen as a threat to social order. Stanley Cohen Cohen studied how the media has often demonised youth culture. This happened to mods and Rockers in 1964 who were seen as modern day folk devils who threatened social order. His research found that actual acts of deviant acts were minimal. New media – new crime Cinema, television, computer games and the internet have all been blamed for corrupting the young. The internet has grown so quickly its brought about cyber crime. Defined as computer-meditated criminal activities conducted through global electronic networks. Cyber-crime  Cyber-trespass – includes hacking and spreading viruses.  Cyber –deception and theft – identify theft, illegal downloading.  Cyber-pornography – illegal porn involving children.  Cyber-violence – bullying by text, threatening s, cyber stalking.

Media Representations of Crime 1.The media over-represent violence and sex crimes – this make us think its happening more and that most killers are strange psychopaths – in most cases the perpetrator is know to the victim. 2.The media portray criminals and victims as older and more middle-class. 3.Media coverage exaggerates police success in clearing up cases. 4.The media exaggerates the risk of victimisation, especially women. 5.The media overplay extraordinary crimes but underplay ordinary crimes.

Question: Explain what is meant by the term ‘news values’ and give some examples of news values

News as a social construction ‘The news is not discovered but manufactured’ says Cohen and Young. What they mean is what gets coverage depends on what has happened, who is involved, when and where. Crime by its very definition is abnormal and ticks most of these news worthy boxes. ‘The news is not discovered but manufactured’ says Cohen and Young. What they mean is what gets coverage depends on what has happened, who is involved, when and where. Crime by its very definition is abnormal and ticks most of these news worthy boxes. immediacy Drama Personalisation Higher-status Simplification Novelty Risk VIolence Activity – match definition and examples

Crime Fiction Mandel (1984) Estimates that between 1945 and 1984, 10 billion crime thrillers were sold. 25% of prime time TV and 20% films are crime shows or films.

Surette (1998) Fictional representations of crime, criminals and victims are thought to be polar opposites to those that appear in official stats. Surette calls this ‘the law of opposites’ Greer (2005) Media tend to exaggerate the extent of violent crime. Most crime is fairly routine, trivial and non-dramatic. However, TV programmes like Crimewatch often pick up on the more serious and violent offences with reconstructions giving quite frightening, dramatized insights into the crimes committed.

In realityIn fiction Type of crimes Property crime, thefts Violence, drugs, murder, sex crimes Motives for homicide Domestic disputes/ brawls/accidental Greed, premeditated and highly planned Sex crimes Committed by partners, ex-partners or someone known Committed by psychopaths, highly organised serial offenders The Police Often perceived as useless, ineffective (poor clear-up rates) Always get the bad guys; often gifted.

Media Coverage Tabloid newspapers negatively target ‘undesirable’ groups such as gypsies and asylum-seekers. Such groups are viewed as “not us” or “other-groups”. The media tends to demonise rapists as evil psychopaths, whereas in reality the majority of victims are raped by men they know, trusted, and often live with.

‘Missing White Woman Syndrome’ Missing white woman syndrome, is also known as missing pretty girl syndrome. It is a term coined to describe a form of media hype in which excessive news coverage is devoted to a specific missing white woman or girl. Reporting of these stories often lasts for several days or weeks, and displaces reporting on other newsworthy issues.

Black Criminality The media plays up the image of black offenders, muggers and criminality generally. However, it reports less the fact that the evidence from official statistics suggests that African Carribbeans and South Asians are twice as likely to be victims of crime as the majority White population.

Does the media cause crime? Grand Theft Auto Child’s Play Call of Duty

Watch the video Make a note of any particular cases discussed in the video

Task: Popular culture & Crime Example 1Example 2 Films Songs Computer games

Task: What role does the media play in the fear of crime? What causes crime? What crimes do people fear? In groups, you are going to conduct some primary research. You will ask your peers (and any teachers that you may come across – but not hound) the following questions. 1.Does watching violent films/TV programmes or playing video games make people violent? 2.What crimes are most common in the UK? 3.Which crimes do you think you are most at risk of being a victim of? 4.What do you think was the primary cause of the 2011 summer riots that started in London?

Media as a cause of crime  Imitation – copycats.  Desensitisation.  Learning criminal techniques.  Desire for unaffordable goods.  Glamorising offending. Explain how these media causes crime using these terms.

The Media creates FEAR of CRIME Studies: Schramm et al (1961) For some children television is harmful – for most it is not. Schlesinger & Tumbler (1992) correlation between amount of media consumption and fear of crime. Most studies show media violence has at most a small and limited negative effect on audiences. Studies do show those that watch TV for longer periods of time are more likely to be fearful of becoming a victim. Most studies show media violence has at most a small and limited negative effect on audiences. Studies do show those that watch TV for longer periods of time are more likely to be fearful of becoming a victim.

The Media creates FEAR of CRIME Studies: Schramm et al (1961) For some children television is harmful – for most it is not. Schlesinger & Tumbler (1992) correlation between amount of media consumption and fear of crime. Most studies show media violence has at most a small and limited negative effect on audiences. Studies do show those that watch TV for longer periods of time are more likely to be fearful of becoming a victim. Most studies show media violence has at most a small and limited negative effect on audiences. Studies do show those that watch TV for longer periods of time are more likely to be fearful of becoming a victim. Critique: Correlation not causation. If you are already afraid of crime perhaps you stay in more and watch TV. Sparks (1992) Viewers attach different meanings to TV violence, horror films and news bulletins.

Media and Relative Deprivation Left Realists argue the mass media help to increase the sense of RELATIVE DEPRIVATION among poor and marginalised groups which may be a cause of crime. Merton – Strain to Anomie, pressure to conform to the normal lifestyle may motivate ‘innovation’.

Match-up Lea and Young Cohen Gerbner et al Bandura Jock Young Correlation between TV viewing and fear of crime Moral Panics: Mods and rockers The Bulimic Society Lab experiments into children, media and aggression Relative Deprivation

Easter Weekend – 1964 Clackton on Sea

Easter Weekend 1964 – Clackton on Sea

Mods and Rockers – Stan cohen (1972) Folk Devils and Moral Panics Day of Terror by Scooter Gangs Youngsters Beat Up Town Reality: A few minor scuffles, some stone throwing. Exaggeration and Distortion Further conflict on its way to seaside towns. Prediction The clothes, bikes, scooters, hairstyles become labelled as symbols of deviance. Symbolisation Media fuelled the problem by labelling the groups as deviance which encourages polarisation and more clashes. Deviance Amplification

Moral Panics eature=related Watch the video – record any points you think are of note. Task: Outline and explain what is meant by the term ‘moral panic’. Discuss this concept in relation youth knife crime in London. Use the views expressed in the clip to help you You must refer to 2 terms: ‘Folk devils’ and ‘symbolic shorthand’s’

Moral Panics as Ideological Control Miller and Reilly (1994) see some moral panics used to soften up public opinion and thus act as a form of 'ideological social control‘ Althusser: Media is a part of the ISA Miller and Reilly (1994) see some moral panics used to soften up public opinion and thus act as a form of 'ideological social control‘ Althusser: Media is a part of the ISA For example, the media's coverage of Islamic terrorism is seen by many to promote 'Islamophobia‘. The resulting Government anti-terrorist legislation has received broad public support despite seriously reducing ordinary people's civil liberties

Examples of Moral Panics Mods & Rockers (1960s) Cohen Black mugging in the 1970s Hall et al HIV/Aids (1980s). Satanic child abuse (1980s) Heroin and crack cocaine distribution (1980s/1990s) USA Video-nasties (1980/1990s) Child’s Play 2 – Jamie Bulger Guns (1990s and 2000s) Dunblane; Columbine Acid raves, Ecstasy (1990s) Leah Betts Male under-achievement in education (1990s) Asylum seekers (2000s) Islamic terrorism (2000s) Knife crime (2000s) Mephedrone (Meow, meow – 2000s) Mods & Rockers (1960s) Cohen Black mugging in the 1970s Hall et al HIV/Aids (1980s). Satanic child abuse (1980s) Heroin and crack cocaine distribution (1980s/1990s) USA Video-nasties (1980/1990s) Child’s Play 2 – Jamie Bulger Guns (1990s and 2000s) Dunblane; Columbine Acid raves, Ecstasy (1990s) Leah Betts Male under-achievement in education (1990s) Asylum seekers (2000s) Islamic terrorism (2000s) Knife crime (2000s) Mephedrone (Meow, meow – 2000s)

So, why do moral panics exist? Whose interests do they serve? What would our old friends say about moral panics and the relationship between media and crime? Marxists Functionalists Feminists Interactionists Postmodernists In a group, have a discussion about how the 5 major perspectives say about crime and media

Perspectives on Moral Panics

Stuart Hall – Moral panics are used by K. to distract attention. Marxists Malestream focus of news and sociological study. Feminism Response to anomie – by dramatising the threat the media reasserts moral boundaries. Functionalism Understand the meanings attached to the crises by the participants. Interactionism Little consensus about what is deviant – Moral panics are no longer relevant. Postmodernism

McRobbie and Thornton: Moral Panics are an Outmoded Concept FrequencyThe frequency of moral panics has increased: they are no longer noteworthy. ContextIn the past moral panics would scapegoat a group and create ‘folk devils’. Today there are many viewpoints and values in society. ReflexivityBecause the concept of moral panic is well-known, some groups actually try to create one for their own benefit. DifficultyBecause there is less certainty about what is unambiguously ‘bad’ today, moral panics are harder to start. People are too open-minded! ReboundPeople are wary about starting moral panics as there is the possibility of it rebounding on them, e.g. John Major’s ‘family values’ campaign.

McRobbie and Thornton (1995) Moral Panics are routine, have less-impact and are outdated. In late-modern society, attitudes are different, and not the same as 40 years ago. What used to shock and appal then may not now. Eg) Single motherhood Drug abuse Homosexuality

Media as ‘Moral Crusaders’ The media, having played a part in constructing a moral panic, may then embark upon a 'moral crusade' against the identified 'folk devils'. The desired outcome is to swell public opinion and for the authorities to embark upon a moral clampdown on deviants. In recent months, the media themselves have become folk devils due to the phone hacking scandals.

PERCy group task In groups of 4 you complete a carousel activity which will test your knowledge, comprehension, evaluation and essay skills You will be given an exam question which you must complete as a group of 3. You will be making four points and each group will rotate their answer: Each group will start on P, then move on to E, then R etc until all groups have contributed one part to each section.

Examine the view that the media can actually be responsible for crime

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The growth of technology and of the internet has led to the introduction of new criminal techniques...

Cyber Crime ‘Computer mediated activities that are… illegal…and are conducted through global electronic networks’ (Thomas and Loader 2000) Wall 2001 Identifies 4 types of cyber crime 1. Cyber-trespass This includes hacking, sabotage and spreading viruses. Literally trespassing on other peoples computers.

2. Cyber-deception and theft This includes identity theft, phishing (false websites aimed at getting things like bank details, illegal downloading etc hacking, sabotage and spreading viruses

3. Cyber-porn Most web traffic is porn led –a lot is legal but there are areas of illegal use particularly with reference to minors, child pornography etc. Also the ease at which minors can access porn sites is a concern.

4. Cyber-violence This includes cyber-stalking, bullying on- line, causing psychological harm and inciting violence. Cyber crime is very difficult to police, because it is global and is such a large area. It has also been given a low priority by many police forces. On the other hand more surveillance via ICT is being introduced every day, cameras, digital finger printing etc

Media Content Analysis Most of the studies about media representations of crime is based on content analysis: Formal Content Analysis Used to measures amount of space devoted to crime and types of crime covered Thematic Analysis Looks at themes that underlie the content Eg) The Police are presented in a positive light in stories Textual Analysis Examining the text in order to see how it encourages a particular reading and creates a particular impression. Eg) ‘Paedo found working in Primary school’.

Item A In late modern society, the mass media are at the centre of culture, and the media are obsessed with crime. As a result, they are our main source of knowledge about crime. However, the media present us with a distorted picture. For example, crime fiction, whether TV ‘cop shows’ or the individual genius of a Sherlock Holmes, offers a false image of policing. Similarly, many sociologists accuse the news media of creating folk devils and of promoting unrealistic fears of crime. Many people also blame the media for encouraging criminal behaviour in the young and the poorly educated. Others note both the criminal opportunities and the scope for surveillance offered by the new media. Using material from Item A and elsewhere, assess sociological views of the relationship between crime and the mass media. (21 marks)

Assessment Questions – Media and Crime 1.Examine the ways in which the media stimulate moral panics and create folk devils. (21 marks) 2. Assess sociological views of the relationship between crime and the mass media. (21 marks) 3.Examine how the media causes crime. (21 marks) 4.Assess whether the media reports crime or creates crime. (21 marks)