The public depends on the news media for its understanding of crime. Prepared by the Justice Policy Institute and the Berkeley Media Studies Group for the Building Blocks for Youth initiative, the study is an examination of over 70 content analyses of newspaper and television crime coverage. Major Findings 1. The news media report crime, especially violent crime, out of proportion to its actual occurrence.
Violent crime dominates crime coverage.
The more unusual the crime or violence, the more likely it is be covered. Eighty-six percent of White homicide victims are killed by other Whites, and most homicide victims know their killer. Crime coverage has increased while real crime rates have fallen. The news media, particularly television news, unduly connect race and crime, especially violent crime. African Americans are underrepresented in reporting as victims, and overrepresented in the news as perpetrators.