NCJ Number
95554
Journal
Victimology Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: (1984) Pages: 82-94
Date Published
1984
Length
13 pages
Annotation
Earlier research has noted both the extensiveness of public concern over the crime problem and the weak relationship between experience and fear of crime. Consequently, an analysis of British press coverage of crime, and particulary of victim details, was carried out to assess how far this might help explain public perception of crime.
Abstract
However, contrary to expectations, young, female, and high status victims appeared overpresented in crime news, suggesting that -- at least as far as current events were concerned -- press selectivity was framed by the need for newsworthy, atypical and entertaining stories, rather than those which focused specifically on threats to social order. (Author abstract)