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Talking Heads: Crime Reporting on Cable News

NCJ Number
233755
Journal
Justice Quarterly Volume: 28 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2011 Pages: 87-112
Author(s)
Natasha A. Frost; Nickie D. Phillips
Date Published
February 2011
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the degree to which criminologists and other academics address crime causation and crime control on cable news shows.
Abstract
In this study, the authors examine the extent to which criminologists and other academics participate in newsmaking criminology as guests on cable news shows. Building on earlier examinations of print media, we explore the ways in which crime is portrayed on popular cable television news programs (airing on CNN, FOX, MSNBC). Specifically, the authors examine 180 segments devoted to crime on cable news that aired from June to August 2006, with an emphasis on the role of the 347 guests appearing in those segments and their perspectives on crime causation and crime control. The authors find that criminologists and other academic experts infrequently appear on these programs, and that guestsregardless of typeonly rarely address crime causation or crime control when appearing. Tables and references (Published Abstract)