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Criminology

12 Dec 2025

134

2 pages

Understanding Media's Portrayal of Crime

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maddiy beesley @maddiybeesley_jkff

Ever wondered why crime stories dominate the news or why violent video games are so popular? Media representations... Show more

Media representations of crime

Newspaper
-cross between factual infomation and fictioπαι
entertainment.
-Must draw the reader in so they ca

How Different Media Portray Crime

Newspapers walk a fine line between factual reporting and entertainment. They need to grab your attention to sell copies, so they focus on stories that are newsworthy. What makes crime stories irresistible? Think immediate breaking news, dramatic violence, personal human stories, and anything involving celebrities or high-profile figures.

Television offers both fictional and factual crime content. Shows like Line of Duty and Midsomer Murders present fictional crime scenarios, while programmes like Police Interceptors and 24 Hours in Police Custody show real-life policing. Even films like Suicide Squad can portray crime positively when criminals become heroes.

Key Point Media must balance factual reporting with entertainment value to maintain audience engagement.

The way crime is presented varies dramatically depending on whether the content is fictional or documentary-style, affecting how audiences perceive real criminal behaviour.

Media representations of crime

Newspaper
-cross between factual infomation and fictioπαι
entertainment.
-Must draw the reader in so they ca

Gaming, Social Media and Music Influence

Electronic gaming through Xbox and PlayStation often glorifies criminal activity. Games like Grand Theft Auto (GTA) present murder, assault, robbery, and drug crimes as exciting gameplay elements. This interactive format can make criminal behaviour seem thrilling and consequence-free.

Social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook have become venues for actual criminal activity. Hate crimes, white-collar crime, and tech crimes now flourish in these online spaces where communities interact.

Music and music videos, particularly those targeting younger generations, frequently normalise criminal behaviour. Artists often incorporate crime themes into their work, using videos to make illegal activities appear acceptable amongst peer groups.

Critical Thinking Consider how these different media formats might influence young people's attitudes towards crime and law enforcement.

Understanding these representations helps you analyse how media shapes public perception of crime and justice in modern society.

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This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

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very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

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Stefan S

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I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

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Criminology

134

12 Dec 2025

2 pages

Understanding Media's Portrayal of Crime

user profile picture

maddiy beesley

@maddiybeesley_jkff

Ever wondered why crime stories dominate the news or why violent video games are so popular? Media representations of crime shape how we think about criminal behaviour, and understanding this influence is crucial for your Media Studies and Sociology coursework.

Media representations of crime

Newspaper
-cross between factual infomation and fictioπαι
entertainment.
-Must draw the reader in so they ca

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How Different Media Portray Crime

Newspapers walk a fine line between factual reporting and entertainment. They need to grab your attention to sell copies, so they focus on stories that are newsworthy. What makes crime stories irresistible? Think immediate breaking news, dramatic violence, personal human stories, and anything involving celebrities or high-profile figures.

Television offers both fictional and factual crime content. Shows like Line of Duty and Midsomer Murders present fictional crime scenarios, while programmes like Police Interceptors and 24 Hours in Police Custody show real-life policing. Even films like Suicide Squad can portray crime positively when criminals become heroes.

Key Point: Media must balance factual reporting with entertainment value to maintain audience engagement.

The way crime is presented varies dramatically depending on whether the content is fictional or documentary-style, affecting how audiences perceive real criminal behaviour.

Media representations of crime

Newspaper
-cross between factual infomation and fictioπαι
entertainment.
-Must draw the reader in so they ca

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Gaming, Social Media and Music Influence

Electronic gaming through Xbox and PlayStation often glorifies criminal activity. Games like Grand Theft Auto (GTA) present murder, assault, robbery, and drug crimes as exciting gameplay elements. This interactive format can make criminal behaviour seem thrilling and consequence-free.

Social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook have become venues for actual criminal activity. Hate crimes, white-collar crime, and tech crimes now flourish in these online spaces where communities interact.

Music and music videos, particularly those targeting younger generations, frequently normalise criminal behaviour. Artists often incorporate crime themes into their work, using videos to make illegal activities appear acceptable amongst peer groups.

Critical Thinking: Consider how these different media formats might influence young people's attitudes towards crime and law enforcement.

Understanding these representations helps you analyse how media shapes public perception of crime and justice in modern society.

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

2

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Similar content

Marxism & Interactionism in Crime

Explore the sociological theories of crime through the lenses of Marxism and Interactionism. This study note delves into key concepts such as labelling theory, selective law enforcement, and the impact of capitalism on criminal behavior. Evaluation points highlight strengths and weaknesses of each theory, providing a comprehensive understanding of crime and deviance. Ideal for students studying sociology and criminology.

CriminologyCriminology
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Campaigns for Change Comparison

Explore a detailed comparison of five impactful campaigns aimed at social change, including Sarah's Law, Clare's Law, #MeToo, and more. This analysis covers their purposes, methods, target audiences, successes, and areas for improvement. Ideal for students studying social movements, grassroots campaigning, and media strategies.

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Character Evolution in Attack the Block

Explore the transformation of key characters in 'Attack the Block' through visual representation and societal stereotypes. This analysis delves into the roles of Moses, Hi-Hatz, and the girl gang, examining how their portrayals shift throughout the film and what this reveals about perceptions of crime and identity. Ideal for film studies and media representation discussions.

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Use this Know as a quick reference to identify all of the different Pride flags and learn about their context & symbolism

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Basic definitions/contexts of certain terms commonly used in criminal justice.

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Most popular content in Criminology

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4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user