"The fact is that sensationalism has always been a part of the news, sometimes a very big part. It has been described with many different names: the penny press, yellow journalism, jazz journalism, tabloid journalism, tabloid TV, Internet gossip, and more" (Cohen, 2000). Crime and violence is a popular subject around the world. .
This popular subject is considered to be the "staple of journalism" (Reber, 2000). Not only is the public interested in it, but political campaigns use violent and criminal information to combat their opponent as well. Public interest with crime and violence in the media is very high. News broadcasting stations benefit from their ratings by delivering the public interesting and shocking stories. The media and news stations publicize high profile celebrity criminal cases to take the edge in competing to gain higher ratings for viewing. High ratings are a necessity in making profit.
"The amount of sensationalism in the media rises and falls during different eras in our history, but it has always been with us in one form or another -and what we are experiencing today is by no means the most shocking period" (Cohen, 2000). Crime tends to be the main subject in our local and world news. Each morning, afternoon, evening and night the news is filled with crime and violence. Stories of murders, kidnappings, child abuse, and other violent activity gain the attention of the viewers. The public is interested in hearing all the details. Crime and violence excites the public. This is what the public wants to hear and read.
Shocking stories and crimes committed by celebrities such as O.J. Simpson, Kobe Bryant, and many others provide the public with exciting drama. These same celebrities are stars on the field, basketball courts, and televisions shows. The media can facilitate these individuals by helping draw inferences and influence the public. After all, the public knows how great these celebrities really are!.