Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, Aug., 2009. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis investigates the influence of the Internet on the reporting of crime and criminal justice in traditional media, focusing on the hitherto unexplored nexus of media, crime and the Internet. The Internet as a medium acknowledges no boundaries or geographical barriers and the implications of such globally unrestricted access are far wider than the mainstream consideration of several legal and ethical ramifications that accompany reportage on an international scale. This research represents a triangulated study, based on results obtained from an analysis of Internet crime sites, a process of elite interviewing of practising journalists and academics and demonstration case studies of three high-profile crimes.This research suggests the Internet audience wants shorter, more concise crime stories at first point of access, focusing on the main or more sensational aspects, with further background and detail available through links to the requisite multi-media facilities. These multi-media facilities often offer far more graphic detail and specificity than is available in mainstream media, particularly when the latter, constrained by such restrictions as deadlines and space, are compelled to dispense with superfluous detail, with no reader access to further information. In addition, the media theories of agenda-setting and framing undergo a noticeable transition when applied to online reporting.Crime reports on the Internet now complement the text of their narrative with audio and visual detail, bringing the audience ever closer to the scene of the crime and, in many instances, to the perpetrator and victim, again raising ethical issues and reopening the argument of the public‟s right to know versus the individual‟s desire for privacy.In addition, the speed of transmitting information and the ability to update it almost instantaneously must give the Internet a competitive edge in the media focus on attracting an audience and meeting its needs. Yet, despite the widely held consensus that the Internet is free from control, this coverage encounters some degree of gate-keeping.Exploration of available literature has complemented the study, which demonstrates conclusively the influence of the Internet on such journalistic elements as news values, legal and ethical issues, framing and agenda-setting in crime reporting in traditional media.

Thesis (PhD) -- Bond University, 2009. / "A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy"-- t.p. Bibliography: pages 336-365. Also available via the World Wide Web.

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Department of Communication

This study was conducted on-site in Istanbul, Turkey, to determine the effects that mass media has on citizens' perceptions about fear of crime, in particular, and fear, in general. Specifically, the study was designed to (1) determine the tendency of citizens' media consumption, (2) determine the level of fear of crime among Turkish citizens, (3) establish the effect of media on citizens' fear of crime, and (4) determine if gender, age, educational level, neighborhood, and monthly income have an independent effect on fear of crime. To achieve this purpose, after administering a survey in Istanbul, the researcher collected appropriate data and then utilized regression analysis to examine the relationship between media variables and fear of crime. A survey consisting of three parts was administered to 545 Turkish citizens over the age of 18 who currently reside in Istanbul, Turkey. In Part I of the survey, respondents were asked to identify their trends in relation to media consumption, and in Part II respondents were asked to report their feelings about fear of crime. Finally, Part III consisted of socio-demographic characteristics including gender, age, marital status, level of education, and income. The media variables used for this study were, general TV viewing, watching crime drama, watching TV news, listening to radio news, reading newspaper news, and reading Internet news. Regarding the independent effects of socio-demographic variables on fear of crime, only gender was found to be significantly related thereby supporting the research hypothesis. From six media variables, only watching crime drama show and reading Internet news found to be related with individuals' fear of crime; however, this relation disappeared after controlling with socio-demographic variables. In addition, no cultivation effect could be found among the sub-groups of sample.

State level bias crime legislation was passed throughout much of the United States over the last three decades. Beyond their prosecutorial or instrumental application, bias or hate crime laws serve an expressive or messaging function. This function is meant to promote societal cohesion through the rejection of hateful ideologies, as well as signal to attacked or marginalized members of communities that the government is directly addressing the effects of bias crime. As the number of reported hate crimes in the United States remains essentially level, it is of importance to assess how well the expressive function is performing. Following a background on the development, debate, and variation of bias or hate crime law, this project focuses on a content analysis of prominent state level media with the expectation that the expressive success of laws can be detected in bias crime coverage. It is found that bias crime related stories were featured with greater regularity in the states of Washington and Minnesota, which have passed extensive bias crime legislation. Bias crime related stories were far less prominent in South Carolina, which has no bias crime laws. The State of Wyoming, another state with no bias crime laws, displayed a surprisingly large amount of coverage, primarily as a result of the high-profile murder of Matthew Shepard in 1998.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study analyses the impact of crime on sustainable tourism growth in the Western Cape. It investigates tourists' perceptions of crime in the province and the role of the media in creating or influencing these perceptions. This study also provides an overview of the most important government initiatives and policies that have been undertaken and implemented at local, provincial and national levels. These policies are discussed and evaluated to determine whether it has in fact brought or encouraged sustainable tourism growth in the Western Cape. A survey, with a sample size of 25 respondents was undertaken during the period of April to June 2005 and comprised 13 tour operators, eight tourism bureaus and four travel agencies, which are all based in the Western Cape. The aim of the study was to gain insight into the travel motivations and patterns of the thousands of tourists that visit the province every year and their perceptions regarding crime, from the viewpoint of these primary producers (i.e. the travel intermediaries) in the tourism production system. Crime does not only affect residents, but also has an impact on tourist behaviour and deters visitors from visiting a country, as most tourists are risk-aversive and consider such factors when deciding on a destination. Only a small number of tourists are disappointed with the crime situation when visiting the Western Cape, but the majority of tourists still regard it as a serious problem, and possible deterrent, of the province. These perceptions do have a tendency to change more positively once tourists have visited the area. Nevertheless, respondents feel obliged to warn tourists against crime or give them advice about their safety and security. The various levels of government are committed towards improving safety and security in South Africa and numerous policies and initiatives have been developed and implemented. However, most do not specifically focus on crimes against tourists. Safety and security is considered as a prerequisite for a successful tourism industry, thus both local residents and tourists should receive equal attention with regards to safety and security from the government. However, many respondents are unaware of the existence of the government's initiatives to combat crime, which raises doubts about the effectiveness of these initiatives, their implementation and their intended benefits. The government should formulate comprehensive and constructive provincial policies in order to address the potentially detrimental impacts of crime on sustainable tourism growth in the Western Cape. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie analiseer die impak van misdaad op volhoubare toerisme groei in die Wes-Kaap. Dit ondersoek toeriste se persepsies van misdaad in die provinsie en die rol van die media om hierdie persepsies te beinvloed. Die studie gee 'n oorsig oor die belangrikste regeringsinisiatiewe en -beleide wat geimplimenteer is op plaaslike, provinsiale and nasionale vlakke. Hierdie beleide word bespreek en geevalueer om vas te stel of dit daadwerklik volhoubare toerisme groei in die Wes-Kaap bewerkstellig en aanmoedig. 'n Opname met 'n steekproef van 25 respondente was onderneem gedurende April tot Junie 2005. Die steekproef sluit in 13 toer operateurs, agt toerismeburo's en vier reisagentskappe, almal gebasseer in die Wes-Kaap. Die doel van die studie was om insig te kry oor die motivering en reispatrone van die toeriste wat jaarliks die provinsie besoek, asook wat hul persepsies oor misdaad is soos waargeneem deur die primere produsente (d.w. s. reisbemiddelaars) in die toerisme produksiesisteem. Misdaad affekteer nie net inwoners nie, maar het ook 'n impak op toeriste se gedrag en kan selfs toeriste weerhou daarvan om die land te besoek, want veiligheid en sekuriteit is van die belangrikste oorwegingsfaktore wanneer daar besluit word om 'n land te besoek. Slegs 'n paar toeriste is teleurgesteld met die misdaad situasie wanneer hulle die Wes-Kaap besoek, maar die meerderheid beskou dit steeds as 'n ernstige probleem, of selfs afskrikmiddel, in die provinsie. Hierdie persepsies is geneig om te verander nadat die toeriste die area besoek het. Respondente beskou dit egter steeds as hul plig om toeriste teen misdaad te waarsku. Op verskeie vlakke van regering word daar voortdurend gestreef na veiligheid en sekuriteit in Suid-Afrika te verbeter. Verskeie regeringsbeleide en inisiatiewe is al ontwikkel en geimplimenteer, maar die meeste fokus nie spesifiek op misdaad teen toeriste nie. Veiligheid en sekuriteit word beskou as 'n voorvereiste vir 'n suksesvolle toerisme industrie, daarom moet beide inwoners en toeriste dieselfde aandag met betrekking tot veiligheid en sekuriteit van die regering ontvang. Dis egter kommerwekkend dat meeste van die respondente onbewus is van hierdie inisiatiewe om misdaad te bekamp. Die regering moet fokus daarop om 'n omvattende en konstruktiewe provinsiale beleid te formuleer om sodoende die nadelige impak van misdaad op volhoubare toerismegroei in die Wes-Kaap aan te spreek.

Text in English / This study investigates the SAPS utilisation of social media in its fight against crime, and the extent to which the SAPS is already using it. The findings suggest that the SAPS is utilising social media in the fight against crime, mostly at a specialised level. Detectives at station level lack adequate knowledge and skills to use social media to their advantage. A lack of adequate resources and training is also identified. Social media is a communication platform for millions of people, and should therefore be used in the SAPS, to its advantage, to solve crime. Guidelines are in place for law enforcement officials who need to use it in their investigations. Recommendations resulting from the study include benchmarking with international law enforcement agencies, and finalisation of relevant policies. Training material should be developed and presented to detectives and members at station level. Resources should be made available to members to use in their investigations. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)