Crime, Media and the Justice System

This tells us that the media tends to focus on those types of crimes that are more likely violent and those crimes that are felonies. .
             The media definitely has some prejudices as to whom, and what they choose to cover. Why is it that the Ramsey case got so much publicity, yet there are children who are killed every day who we do not hear about? Or why is the OJ Simpson case noted as the trial of the century when there are many trials of similar charges that never even get into the paper? Research shows that ratings reach their highest when crime stories cover people with lots of money, for example celebrities or those of high status, and or young children and woman. So when the Ramsey case came up, they, the media, received not only the people with lots of money, but they also got the young child involved in a brutal murder. People across the nation were tuned in, even people across the world. This obviously boosted ratings! At the same time it makes parents of small children fear the safety of their children, even in their own homes. Research shows that murder is only 2% of all crimes committed, yet it is the most reported on the media reaching 26% of all stories we hear on the television, radio, and internet (Heath and Gilbert). Not only has the news taken up a lot of air time to cover these types of stories, but also stations like Court TV, Fox, and other stations have shows like, FBI Files, Law and Order, CSI, and Cold Case Files. Ratings for these shows have gone up in the last couple years more then ever. .
             The affects of the media can have some good outcomes, but can also have some negative ones as well. According to some people the media makes such a big deal about the criminal and not the actual crime, that sometimes it makes the criminal look like a hero or role model. Also the news media seems to have very little coverage of the victims in the story at times. Many times they have an explicit story with the criminal, about his/her past history, their family, and then give the criminal chances to explain their side of the story before it ever reaches the court room.