The papers discuss the association between media criminal justice reporting and public attitudes toward crime and justice, criminal and violent behavior, crime control, and criminal case processing. Contributors consider theoretical and social issues, explore the media's portrait of crime and justice, and describe the relationship between heavy television viewing and viewer attitudes. The influence of the media on levels of criminality and the use of the media in crime control efforts are discussed. Additional chapters study the interactions of the news media and courtroom proceedings, offer policy recommendations, and examine the effects of television arraignments on the perceptions of courtroom participants. Policy recommendations include education of the public, especially parents, about the positive and negative potential and uses of the media as well as greater use of the media as a critical forum. Data tables, figures, footnotes, chapter reference lists, and an index are supplied. (Publisher summary modified)