Crime and Media

In what new ways have you learned to think about the media generally?

I have come to learn to think about the media in new dimensions. First, the media plays an important role in shaping public opinion and social change. For example, the media helps in reporting issues that put a spotlight on developments that positively or negatively impact the lives of the people. Second, the media sets the agenda that influences priorities and debate within the society. The stories carried out by the media help people to understand the various issues and concerns locally, state-wide and federally. Another new way I have learned to think about the media generally is that it reinforces stereotypes in the society. For instances, women are portrayed on the media as being subordinates to the men. Consequently, when the media is looking for sources for their stories most of the time they gravitate towards the men. I also believe the media’s portrayal of law enforcement or the police also shape public opinion.  

In what new ways have you learned to think about the media and the CJ system?

The new way I have learned to think about the media and the criminal justice system is that both play a vital role in shaping issues related to crime. For instance, the media is instrumental in shaping public opinion about crime. Essentially, media representation about crime can sway public opinion on the nature, severity and prevalence of criminal tendencies in the community or society.

How might these new understandings affect the way you work in your current or future CJ career and in your everyday life?

These new understandings might affect my future criminal justice career and in everyday life in various ways. In the future, I would use the media as one of the major platforms to gauge public opinion about crime and criminal tendencies. The information drawn from the media will be crucial in coming up with strategies and policies that can be used to curtail crime. Further, the information drawn may help to establish collaboration between the media and the criminal justice system to tackle crime in communities.