Is media a problem when it comes to crime?

Question

and example I am thinking of is of Paul Bernardo, he is in jail and yet the media decides to bring him up again when they didn't really need to.

Answer 1

The question is: Is media a "PROBLEM" when it comes to crime?

The example you used is the case of Paul Bernardo; who you say is already in jail when the media brought his story up again without cause..

How does repeating a story of a person who committed a crime that landed him in jail; equate to the media being a problem when it comes to crime?

Telling the story of criminal activity does not contribute to crime, but rather alerts the public to be aware of the criminal activity of others.

Would you say that reporting on "the war on terrorism" contributes to the act of terrorism therefore creating a problem when it comes to terroristic acts against the US?

If so, How is it a problem to the issues described here in your question?

Your friend, PUMA

Answer 2

well, im in the "grey area" on this one. on one hand i have been on the receiving end of the media having a heavy hand on spinning a criminal story in which my mother was killed by a drunk driver to make it appear as though the driver was actually the victim due to post-traumatic stress from being a war vet. which led him to drink excessively.......he got off the hook so this part of me would say yes, but i feel thats not good enough since its bias.

on the other hand, however, i would say no. its not the medias job to wonder whether their reportings of criminal acivity is going to entice some psycho to commit a crime to make the evening news & have his 15 minutes of fame....no, its their job to report it. its the editorial edge that i cant stand (being a journalism major myself) when the reporter/writer/broadcaster adds their opinion into a facts-based story which sways the audience to belive "the motives were this....the results were this.....he was PROBABLY thinking this...."

and so my friend, i would say the media is really a double-edged sword when it comes to crime because the public consus needs to be warned, advised, & well-informed......but the media can be nosy, exaggerating, opinionated reporters who want to make the best story to sell more.

Answer 3

Evidently this is a Canadian criminal. I haven't heard anything about him here in the US and I'm a news junkie.

But yes, the news media are absolutely a problem when it comes to reporting crime. They're alarmists and they abuse their power to shape the plopulous' perceptions. When it comes to dangers we may or may not face, they blow things completely out of proportion. In some situations this can lead to unnecessary legislation that does more harm than good.

Edit- I'd also disagree with PUMA that reportage does not contribute to crime. With certain crimes, such as mass murders, the media attention the murderers receive often plays a HUGE role.

I think they encourage terrorism as well. They make terrorists feel a whole lot more influential and powerful than they actually are.

I hope that's a relevant answer. I hate the news media because they abuse their herd-controlling powers.