CCJS 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 20: September 11 Attacks, Death Of Jonbenét Ramsey, O. J. Simpson

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Course: CCJS 100
• Professor: Justine Madoo

Document Summary

The role of media in the criminal justice system. Limits of human nature, moral integrity of community. Of local news stories, both before and after 9/11 attacks. More likely to be read/reviewed and remembered by consumers. Media gives public what they want and what is in public interest. Media acts in interests of owners of media sources. Nature of crime news depends on how its collected. Media retains some autonomy, but they determine what is newsworthy: novel, unexpected, dramatic, exciting. Networks increased number of stories on crime in last 40 years. All true crime which networks see as entertainment shows. Commodification of crime make money off of them. Increase in cops rating led to 5% increase in proportion of lead crime stories. Increase in melrose place rating led to 1% decrease. Less readership, budget cuts, trying to get readers. People can choose what they want, so they go for sensationalist stories.