The Media's Misrepresentation of Crime in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: A Content Analysis

• In Event: Crime in the Media: Perceptions and Reality

Abstract

In American society, nearly everyone has daily contact with the media. Relatively new forms of media have even greater impacts on our lives. Most consumers of media rely heavily on websites, social media, and live national news. These new methods of distributing media frequently include a large audience who is un-objective in the stories it views. Today, news about crime tend to diverge from reality. The lack of objectivity in consumers causes a misconception of crime in America. Through a content analysis, this study examines over four months of news stories from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Particularly, the two most viewed news stations are compared. Results indicate a large emphasis of stories on crime. In particular, African American violent crime is overrepresented while white-collar and Caucasian crime is underrepresented when compared to official statistics. Policy implications are tailored to how local police policies, and the American ideology of crime have been influenced by the media. Finally, suggestions regarding how to inform college students and the public of the media's misconception of crime is formulated.

Author

• Matthew Kijowski, Indiana University of Pennsylvania