Media representation of crime has an overwhelming impact on the way people understand and feel perceived as well as, how the society defines safety and justice. The never ending stream of crime reports, particularly violent assaults, tends to distort reality in shaping the concept of how much crime is going on. People often tend to assume that more crime is happening than what reality reflects. This trend, referred to as the "mean world syndrome”, leads to the culture of fear and suspicion, which permeates communities.
Sensational crime stories occupy the airwaves, shoving to the sidelines the common but mundane. This partial reporting distorts the perception of the public, as violent crime appears to be more widespread. As such, people may not feel secure even in rather secure spaces as media-induced fear seems larger than the available crime statistics, affecting perception of danger.
News media, focusing on viewership and engagement, often prefer to report sensational and exaggerated story lines than the truth. This attention to gripping stories can give rise to misconceptions among the viewers who would think that crime is always on the rise. Such characters can also promote stereotypes, over associating crime to particular groups of people, an act that distorts public opinion and also contributes to prejudice.
The media-conjured fear influences everyday conduct and camaraderie. People could change their routine, avoid being in public spaces, or spend money on security arrangements based on perceived threats. This feeling of vulnerability can also influence mental health as high levels of anxiety and stress result even in low-crime areas. Media takes much of the credit for influencing these fears, which is very rarely discussed.
A greater sense of balance and responsibility in the media’s handling of issues related to the perception of crime would be necessary when it comes to addressing the media’s influence on the perception of crime. The use of context, statistical accuracy and community-based stories can help undermine the hype of fear narrative. Promoting critical media literacy amongst the public can also minimize the unfair influence the sensationalized crime stories have on how the society thinks and feels regarding its safety.
Conclusion
Finally, the media representation of the crime clearly influences public perception of the fear, and frequently triggers overblown apprehensions about safety. In order to offset this impact, news media need to focus on realistic reporting, instead of sensationalism. Public education on the issue of media literacy will be essential to enable people to question crime narratives and develop more realistic views on their surroundings.
