Media Distortions of Crime and Miscarriages of Justice (From Media Effects on Attitudes to Crime, P 13-25, 1987 -- See NCJ-114918)

• NCJ Number: 114919
• Author(s): P R Wilson
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia

Annotation

While the news media often report crimes in an interesting and entertaining manner, distortions in the reporting of organized crime, child sexual abuse, and high profile crimes such as murder and rape can result in the serious miscarriage of justice and a violation of defendants' rights.

Abstract

In order to survive financially, news media in capitalist societies must entertain, inform, and instruct the public on social and moral order. Because a common set of complex moral principles held in common by all citizens can no longer be assumed, the media must often simplify the moral message by using the devices of stereotyping, exaggeration, and distortion to tell about crime. By subjecting the facts of a criminal case to such manipulation, the media run the risk of precipitating a miscarriage of justice. Many reporters need to be taught the formal skills of investigative reporting, especially regarding contempt and defamation law. Reporters must try to be more innovative in reporting material on crime and criminal justice. Lawyers and the news media must work together to clarify contempt laws. The media must recognize that trial by the media can and does occur, often damaging a defendant's opportunity for a fair trial. 30 footnotes.