Is the media to blame for most of the negative views against law enforcement?

Question

You hear so many people talk c**p about police, calling them corrupt and accusing them of police brutality, when most of these people have never had a negative experience against the police, but rather base their opinions of law enforcement based on what they hear in the media.

Perfect example in my city. There was an situation where a cop got a little too rough with two guys who were vandalzing American flags that were around town. He was by himself and he had to tackle both of them to handcuff them. Soon after this story of "police brutality was on the front page of the paper".

Yet another time where a local cop dove into a high current river to save a woman who was drowning, he only got a tiny blurb on page 5.

What do you think? Is the media's sensationalism to blame for most of the nagtive opinions about law enforcement?

Answer 1

No, I hate the police and most of my family, friends peers do too! police take advantage of peoples rights and lives. i have had negative experiences with them, even when i dont do anything wrong. ive had experiences where girls thretened my life, harrassed me numurous times left voice mails, egged my house with many witnesses and the cops didnt do shiiiiittttt!!! but when i was 15 or 16 i prank called someone ONE time and called them a r****d and got a big fine!! if you know the right people, then the cops are on your side, if not, then they hate you. well i hate cops with a very big passion and dont care about the media or television, even though cops is a very funny show!! :]

Answer 2

Why would you blame the media for bad cops behavior. So the answer would be NO.

Answer 3

Isn't it funny how are media and the crews flock to the worse scenes and yet when something good is going on you never see them there????  (As the wife of a veteran, the person that was vandalizing the flag he should have been tackle not just by the cops but also by the onlookers.....shame on him and them...this is OUR FLAG and if they dont like it or appreciate it then leave!!!!)  Sorry just hit a nerve!  Our media has always picked and shown what they want us to know!  They are like buzzards waiting for the evil kill!!!!An example is after Katrina....how many news people were out trying to get a story?  and how many were out to help those who needed help?....and yes i speak from experience......it was those poor people in New Orleans.....they were flying around taking photo shots and interviewing them why didnt they help them???? because helping wasnt the story......showing how pitiful they were was.....Meanwhile over here in Mississippi we are trying to make the best out of our situation....homes gone, cars gone, food rottening, no lights, no water....all this while not being able to let our loves who were in Iraq fighting know that we made ok......See the media picks there stories and then presents it they way they want it to be presented

Answer 4

No, I do not think the media is to blame for the fact that some people have a negative view of the police. I think a small part of that negative is perpetrated by rogue officeers themselves, but most of it seems to come from those who've broken the law and ratehr than accept responsibility for thier actions find it easier and more convenient to blame the police. Doubt me? Read through some of the posts on here...most of the cop-bashers are whiners, children and crybabies complaining that they got caught.

Answer 5

NO,

the media is NOT to blame for the negative way SOME people think of coppers.

It is the coppers themselves that are to blame for their own corruption,murders and beatings of innocent people!!!

The media just lets us know what EVERYONE does,

NOT just coppers!!!

Edit:

mattyboy,

I understand there are some police  officers out here that get no thanks for what they do.

Yes i lived in a somewhat small town and saw the corruption,the mayor is a drunk and has been caught several times,but of course he's still mayor.

My children's friends mom was killed by a coppers daughter over a man,all she got was a year on house arrest.

So maybe you and the others that post on here should wonder why people have a very low,disgusted disregard for some coppers and not think we're all criminals!!!

It's when coppers protect their own CRIMINAL "badge" brother/copper that people have a bad view of ALL COPPERS!!!

EDIT as of  07-17-08

I shouldn't of stooped to your level of integrity and called you a fool because you called me one,for that i apologize.