Crime and Media
Against a backdrop of long term rising crime figures, rising prison population and more recently; the daily reporting of street crime, the common sense narrative for crime has evolved. The public is reliant on the government to reduce crime levels, and are more or less powerless to enforce or change the law, apart from campaigns or direct action. With the daily reporting of street crime in the media, often sensationalised or simplified, readers may start to connect certain types of crimes with particular stereotypes or images. This is one of the traits of the phenomenon which has become known as a 'Moral Panic' a term first explored in print by Stanley Cohen, 1973, Folk Devils and Moral Panics, London, Paladin. 'Societies appear to be subject, every now and then, to periods of moral panic. A condition, episode person or group of persons emerges to become defined as a threat to societal values and interest; its nature is presented in a stylised and stereotypical fashion by the mass media.' (S. Cohen,1973.)
The beggar in the article was portrayed as a criminal and although technically he was, in a different article he could easily have been portrayed as a victim; a victim of social circumstances, and more specifically inadequate drug rehabilitation facilities within the community. This shows how the media select the 'angle' they take on a story and almost certainly have an agenda for the overall coverage of 'A Moral Panic.' The government has to be seen to be taking action in times of crisis. The need for this action increases with the amount of media coverage and pressure from certain groups or individuals that feel the need to demonstrate or campaign to the government for action to be taken. Another similar crime gives the opportunity for the press/television to satisfy the demand of the public, with another report (adhering to similar/certain criteria), public awareness is raised further and the likelihood of the government being asked to make a statement/ take action / change the law is raised. This series of events represents the fi
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Approximate Word count = 700
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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