Post No. 106: Local News Coverage of Crime

For years now, many in the media and journalism businesses have weighed in on the coverage of crime by local news outlets.

Many investigations and studies have been conducted, both in and out of academic settings.

In preparation for this post, we examined a number of them, and initially planned to provide links to some of them to probe further into the issues.

However, we chose not to do so, since we are certain that some of you would accuse us of projecting a particular bias, or advocating a particular position.

Do you feel that local news coverage of crime in your city or county, or those areas in which you previously lived, is fair and proportionate, too little, or too much?

How does one theoretically determine the amount of “fair and proportionate” coverage of crime?

Does the coverage of crime have an “effect” on the citizens who view and hear the stories of crime?

Does the coverage potentially portray certain segments of society, or parts of town, in an unfair light?

Should the decisions regarding the amount of crime coverage be left entirely to the management of the media and journalism vehicles? Should the owners participate in the process?

Should government intervene in any way?

Should someone or some agency total up all of the events occurring in a particular geographic area, determine the percentage of crime events, and present coverage equivalent to that particular percentage?

Should “ratings” based on the consuming public’s response determine the amount of coverage?

How can we in a “free society” ensure that we are receiving a “fair and balanced” coverage of local crime?

Do you believe that those in charge of certain news media outlets purposefully skew the amount of crime covered? Purposefully avoid covering crime? Why?

By the way, while we’re at it, how do you think that the national news and media outlets determine which missing young women to cover in their stories?