NCJ Number
89160
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1983) Pages: 159-165
Date Published
1983
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A comparison of newspaper coverage of crime in the Strathclyde region of Scotland during March 1981 with actual crime statistics revealed noticeable overreporting of crimes of violence and sexual offenses.
Abstract
Although previous research has discovered that newspaper reporting of crime news is often biased, no such study has been conducted in Scotland. The Strathclyde region covers over half the Scottish population, contains the largest city and the biggest police force, and registers the most crime. The sample consisted of four daily newspapers and two Sunday newspapers which comprised 77 percent of all Scottish morning papers, 44 percent of the evening papers, and 100 percent of the Sunday papers. The Scottish Home and Health Department provided the crime statistics. A total of 116 newspapers as assessed according to the area of news space given to crime news and the number of reports of crime and court cases. The six newspapers devoted an average of 6.5 percent of their news space to crime news, but reported only .25 percent of the crimes and court cases recorded for that month. Moreover, crimes of violence and sexual offenses were substantially overreported, and crimes against public order and justice somewhat overreported. Crimes of dishonesty and minor offenses were underreported. Tables, a footnote, and 21 references are provided.