Media Portrayals of Crime and the Implications of Images accompanying Stories
Presentation Type
Presentation
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Pamela Martin, Political Science
Major
Communication
Presentation Abstract
Print media shapes public perceptions of crime and who is committing these crimes. Citizens rely on the media to stay up to date on current events regarding government policy, education, the environment, crime, health etc.. The manner in which such stories, specifically crime, are portrayed can distort the general masses perception of African Americans. Media personnel make an effort to reduce bias and report on the important facts of the story to draw readers in. Stories must be newsworthy and fit a certain agenda.Despite this, African Americans are often painted as the perpetrator while their white counterparts are deemed victims in events related to crime. In this report, an analysis on the stereotypes print media outlets create about crime involving African Americans and their counterparts will be discussed. When comparing publications released by various print outlets, it is seen that African Americans are disproportionately painted as perpetrators.
Start Date
13-4-2023 2:40 PM
End Date
13-4-2023 3:00 PM
Disciplines
Communication
Recommended Citation
Wilson, Robynn, "Media Portrayals of Crime and the Implications of Images accompanying Stories" (2023). Undergraduate Research Competition. 109.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2023/fullconference/109
Media Portrayals of Crime and the Implications of Images accompanying Stories
Print media shapes public perceptions of crime and who is committing these crimes. Citizens rely on the media to stay up to date on current events regarding government policy, education, the environment, crime, health etc.. The manner in which such stories, specifically crime, are portrayed can distort the general masses perception of African Americans. Media personnel make an effort to reduce bias and report on the important facts of the story to draw readers in. Stories must be newsworthy and fit a certain agenda.Despite this, African Americans are often painted as the perpetrator while their white counterparts are deemed victims in events related to crime. In this report, an analysis on the stereotypes print media outlets create about crime involving African Americans and their counterparts will be discussed. When comparing publications released by various print outlets, it is seen that African Americans are disproportionately painted as perpetrators.