Role of the Media in Criminal Justice Policy

<p>This book provides a socio-legal examination of the media’s influence on the development and implementation of criminal justice policy.</p><p>This impact is often assumed. And especially in the wake of high-profile crimes the press is routinely observed calling for sentences to be harsher and for governments to be tougher on crime. But how do we know that there is a connection? To answer this question the book draws on a case study of the media reporting of the rape and murder of Jill Meagher in Melbourne Australia; as well as other well-known cases including those of James Bulger Sarah Payne Stephen Lawrence and Michael Brown among others. Deploying a socio-legal framework to examine how the media’s often powerful and emotive narratives play a crucial role in the development and implementation of law the book provides a deep and critical reflection on its influence. The book concludes with a number of suggestions for media reform: both to moderate the media’s influence and to incorporate a broader range of viewpoints.</p><p>This multi-disciplinary book will appeal to scholars and students in sociolegal studies criminology and criminal law as well as those working in relevant areas in sociology and media studies.</p>