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JUDICIAL MEANS FOR RESTRICTING THE INFLUENCE OF THE MASS MEDIA ON CRIMINALITY

NCJ Number
68055
Journal
Revue internationale de criminologie et de police technique Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY/SEPTEMBER 1979) Pages: 249-274
Author(s)
D GUITON
Date Published
1979
Length
26 pages
Annotation
ASPECTS OF FRENCH LAW ARE DISCUSSED, IN THE FIRST OF TWO ARTICLES, IN TERMS OF THE NEGATIVE INFLUENCES THE MASS MEDIA HAS ON CRIME.
Abstract
ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE CYCLE OF NEGATIVE PUBLICITY, FEAR, INSECURITY, AND INCITEMENT TO VIOLENCE THAT IS ALLEGEDLY PRODUCED BY THE MASS MEDIA'S PORTRAYAL OF VIOLENT CRIME. THE WAYS IN WHICH MASS MEDIA AFFECTS CRIMINALITY ARE EXAMINED, INCLUDING THE THEORY THAT PERSONS LIABLE TO COMMIT CRIMES ARE APT TO IMITATE WHAT THEY SEE OR HEAR THROUGH THE MASS MEDIA AND THE THEORY THAT MASS MEDIA COVERAGE HAS A CATHARTIC AFFECT ON POTENTIAL OFFENDERS. WAYS IN WHICH MASS MEDIA PORTRAYALS OF VIOLENCE CAN BLUNT THE PUBLIC'S SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. JUDICIAL MEANS FOR RESTRICTING THIS INFLUENCE ARE INTRODUCED AS LAWS THAT MUST RESPECT BOTH THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS AND THE PROTECTION OF THE PUBLIC FROM CRIMINOGENIC ELEMENTS. CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO JUDICIAL MEANS FOR RESTRICTING THE INDIRECT INFLUENCE OF THE MASS MEDIA ON CRIMINALITY, WITH FURTHER EMPHASIS ON THE MEDIA'S ACCURACY IN RECOUNTING THE FACTS SURROUNDING A CRIME. JUDICIAL MEANS FOR PREVENTING MASS MEDIA'S INFLUENCE ON PUBLIC OPINION BEFORE JUDICIAL DECISIONS ARE MADE ARE EXPLORED, WITH ATTENTION TO THREE FRENCH LAWS--THE LAW OF JULY 29, 1881; ARTICLE 227 OF THE PENAL CODE; AND ARTICLE 111 OF THE CODE FOR PENAL PROCEDURE. FINALLY, JUDICIAL MEANS FOR PREVENTING EXCESSIVE MASS MEDIA CRITICISM OF JUDICIAL DECISIONS (WHICH MAY INCITE WELL-WISHERS TO VIOLENCE) ARE DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF ARTICLES 226 AND 15 OF THE PENAL CODE. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. --IN FRENCH.

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