Is the Media Misreprentating Crime?

The media is continually used as a means of mass communication to over-dramatize the level of crime within Australia. There are many informal forms of crime knowledge linked to the media such as newspapers, the internet, television and the radio which are used most commonly as a primary source of indirect knowledge by Australian citizens. In noting that making a profit is the main goal of the media, it is easy to suggest that the reporting of crime is sensationalised, selective and based on agenda setting (although all three could easily be intertwined) and therefore, misrepresents the true nature of crime. Violent crime is often stereotyped as the most prevalent crime in society due to the publicity that surrounds it. However, in Australia the most frequent occurring type of crime is not violent crime. Homicide, assault, sexual assault, kidnapping/abduction and robbery are all types of offences that make up violent crime. Other crimes such as property crime and fraud related crimes (white collar crime) are much more common yet are less publicised and consequently the community is less likely to feel at risk of these crimes. There are however many informal forms of crime knowledge linked to the media such as newspapers, the internet, television and the radio which are mostly used commonly as a primary source of indirect knowledge by Australian citizens. These sources as the most influential because of how the crimes are portrayed and made to influence our opinions. In saying that making a profit is the main and possibly the only goal of the media. The media doesn’t care as to if the way they have portrayed certain elements of the crimes effect the local citizens. it is easy to suggest that the reporting of crime is sensationalised, selective and based on agenda setting (although all three could easily be intertwined) and therefore, misrepresents the true nature of crime.