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Image Vs. Reality: An Analysis of Prime-Time Television Crime and Police Programs

NCJ Number
126001
Journal
Journal of Crime and Justice Volume: 11 Issue: 1 Dated: (1988) Pages: 165-188
Author(s)
B Maguire
Date Published
1988
Length
24 pages
Annotation
There are 19 prime-time television crime and police shows. It is generally believed by social scientists that these programs distort the reality of American crime and policing.
Abstract
It has been many years, however, since there has been a scientific analysis of crime and police programs. The present project uses content analysis of 46 hours of videotape to document the content of these shows. Findings are situated in the context of criminological theory. 7 footnotes, 1 table, and 49 references. (Author abstract)

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