My ideas...

The media, television and film have influenced the ways in which public perceptions of law enforcement and criminals have been shaped. The images of police from television and movies shows how different representations of law enforcement exist and if these representations reflect reality where the media might come into play. People need to understand and be aware of the media moulding the public’s perceptions of law enforcement officers and criminals that exist in our society that may not be entirely true in reality.

There is also a considerable gap that exists between the media’s portrayal of policing and real life law enforcement as well as television and film almost glorifying criminals. Therefore media portrayal of policing is juxtaposed with both positive and negative representations. As a result, a complex relationship exists between media consumption and public attitudes towards the police.

Positive representation of police - doing their job!!!!

Negative representation of police - brutality!!!

The media displays a negative and positive image when it comes to police officers. Society sees both sides from the media by reflecting how they view police in their own communities. In our communities we also see police getting shot or often finding themselves in a bad situation. The police are here to protect us and to serve the communities to the best of their abilities. However there are negative images that exist among society that are showed to citizens by the media and television programmes that allow us to see and hear about police officers, which include corruption or brutally beating harmless suspects in their custody. The positive images would be that they have saved an innocent life in a hostage situation. The media portrays the police in many different ways. We need to realize that the police are on our side and that they are human just like everyone else.

The television shows that we see on television today are both helpful and harmful to the profession. For example, “Highway Patrol” and the “Recruits” are based on real life situations and we actually see what police officers go through on a daily basis. This profession is very dangerous and you have to be prepared for whatever comes your way. These two factual television series are helpful is some ways because it gives society an inside look at police officers in action and allow us to feel safe because they are doing their jobs and apprehending criminals. The television series “Underbelly” portrays police officers as corrupt cops working together with criminals in order to get rich and live the high life without apprehending them. It also shows police brutality in action and those police officers will even betray their own when it comes to a life and death situation. This image of police officers is in some ways harmful to how society sees police officers but also gives the sense that corruption and police brutality does exist and opens a giant can of worms for politicians, the police force and the media of course have a field day with it.

Welcome!!!

Hey everyone and welcome to my Criminal Justice Blog. I have set up this blog as part of my CRIM2027 Crime, Politics and the Media course and I will be looking at the portrayal of the police and criminals through the media’s eyes as well as through both reality and fictional television programmes, hence the title of my blog. 

Media can be represented in many forms including television broadcasting through news programmes as well as radio programmes, and print media such as newspapers. Reality and fictional portrayals of the police and criminals are also very highly valued in today’s society and many citizens perceptions of both police and criminals are shaped from the media’s reporting of them and through television programmes and series. Please feel free to post on my blog as all ideas are very welcome.