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Both of these sources emphasize on the media's ability to increase public perception of crime, even when the mechanisms behind the increase are less understood. Episodic framing blames individuals for problems, while thematic framing focuses on larger social and political institutions. As a result, it can lead to increased support for punitive policies in crime cases.

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The media's ability to frame issues and set agendas plays a crucial role in shaping policymakers' perceptions and ultimately guiding their policy decisions towards punitive measures.

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Sources 7: Media Effects on Attitudes Towards the Criminal Justice System (Werner, 2015) and 8: Public Opinion Versus Public Judgment About Crime (Green, 2006) both empathsize the difference between public judgment which is based on accurate information and a deeper analysis, and public opinion, which may be swayed by sensationalized media coverage. Both of the sources underline the importance between public opinion and pubic judgment and how critical thinking and informed analysis in forming attitudes towards crime and the justice system, beyond what is presented in the media.

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Sources 3: They're Planting Stories in the Press: The Impact of Media Distortions on Sex Offender Law and Policy (Cucolo and Perlin, 2013) and 4: Media, Culture and Society (Hodkinson, 2017) both focus on how media distortions influence perceptions of sex offenders and impact policy making. Both of the sources discuss the significant role that media plays in shaping public opinion and influencing the development of laws and policies related to sex offenders.

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Media, Culture and Society

(Hodkinson, 2017)

Heavy television viewing can lead to a fearful worldview, potentially influencing second-order effects like supporting political parties with a 'tough on crime' stance, distrusting neighbors, and limiting outdoor play.

The cultivation theory suggests that prolonged exposure to media content, particularly television, leads viewers to perceive the "real world" as similar to the depicted one, leading to overestimation of danger and support for punitive policies. This theory was applied to examine how heavy viewing of reality-based police programming affects perceptions of criminality, particularly among African Americans.

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Public Opinion Versus Public Judgment About Crime

(Green, 2006)

Research shows that the public is consistently misinformed about crime and punishment, leading to a level of influence and deference that politicians may find difficult to justify. Two options are to cease deferring to an uninformed public or make the public better informed. However, politicians cannot afford to disregard constituents' will on emotive issues, which could lead to questions of democratic legitimacy.

"Though low levels of public knowledge about crime and punishment indicate that the media have been unsuccessful in raising consciousness to the level sufficient for the public to engage the issues responsibly, in many cases, the media perform this function rather well. Where the media at present fail is in providing the conditions needed to reach the latter two stages. They tend to generate concern in the wake of high-profile cases and crises, but not to follow through to help the public fully appreciate and actively assess the competing range of remedial actions

and their consequences" (Green, 2006).

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Predator-induced fear causes PTSD-like changes in the brains and behavior of wild animals

(Zanette et al., 2019)

"The amygdala is responsible for fear processing and the acquisition and expression of fear memories, as demonstrated by lesioning studies on laboratory rodents, and the fact that people with a damaged amygdala report not feeling fearful in response to a variety of fear-provoking stimuli, including life-threatening traumatic events" (Zanette et al., 2019).

Just like how the amygdala plays a crucial role in processing fear and memory in individuals, policymakers' decision-making is influenced by a combination of factors such as research, and personal experiences.

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Acknowledging the multifaced infuences on policymakers, it is nevertheless crucial to recognize the media's unique role in sculpting public opinion, which in turn exerts a profound impact on the legislative process, often restraining a shift towards more punitive criminal justice policies.

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The media's representation of offenders is not merely a reflection of societal attitudes but a powerful force in shaping them, thereby employing a substantial impact on the policymaking process witihin the criminal justice system, which can lead to policies that are more punitive based on those portrayals.

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In conclusion, the media's portrayal of offenders is far from a passive mirror of societal attitudes; it is a powerful force that actively shapes them, displaying substantial infuence over the policymaking process within the criminal justice system. The tendency of media to dramatize crime has been shown to drive "tough-on-crime" policies, as policymakers, responding to a fearful public, often prioritize punitive approaches. This focus on punishment rather than rehabilitation overlooks the potential benefits of reformative strategies, leading to a cycle of recidivism and missed opportunities for societal improvement. Furthermore, the media's ability to frame issues and set agendas is important in molding the perceptions of those in power, steering them towards more punitive policy decisions. Each of these claims reinforces the idea that media representation is not a simple reflection but a formative element in the development of criminal justice policies, emphasizing the need for a critical examination of how offenders are depicted and the broader implications of these portrayals on policy and society at large.

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Sources 1: Between the Waves: Mass-Mediated Themes of Crime and Justice (Barak, 1994) and 2: Media Effects on Attitudes Towards the Criminal Justice System (Werner, 2015) blend together distinctively as they analyze how media narratives around crime and justice are constructed and how these narratives affect public opinion and policymaking. On one hand, source 1 focuses more on the historical and thematic evolution of crime reporting and its cultural impact, examining different eras or "waves" of media portrayal. On the other hand, source 2 zeroes in on the psychological impact of media consumption on individual and collective attitudes. Together, both sources provide a comprehensive picture of how media not only reflects but also helps to construct societal attitudes towards crime and justice.

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Building on the claim that policymakers often prioritize punitive measures over rehabilitative ones, it is crucial to consider the broader context in which these decisions are made. While media influence is significant, it is just one of many variables that sway policymakers. This complexity suggests that the relationship between media portrayal and policy is not always straightforward.

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While it's clear that dramatic media portrayals of crime can amplify public fear and lead to a uproar for "tough-on-crime" policies, it's important to consider the downstream effects of such a climate of heightened anxiety on the policymaking process itself. As policymakers react to public sentiment, there is a noticeable shift in focus. The emphasis on immediate response to public fear can overshadow evidence-based practices in criminal justice, leading to a punitive approach that prioritizes punishment over rehabilitation. This shift is not without consequence; when the scales of justice tip towards punishment, the potential for restorative practices that could reintegrate individuals into society and reduce recidivism is often ignored.

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These two sources argue against my thesis that while media plays a role in influencing public perceptions, other factors such as personal experiences, cultural norms, and political agendas also contribute significantly to shaping attitudes towards offenders and policies in the criminal justice system. These perspectives imply that the media is just one piece of the puzzle rather than the dominant force in shaping public opinion and policy outcomes.

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Sources 9: Media and Society: A Critical Perspective (Berger, 2012) and 10: Predator-induced fear causes PTSD-like changes in the brains and behavior of wild animals (Zanette et al., 2019) both challenge my thesis from different angles. Source 9 argues that media is a reflection of societal attitudes rather than a force that shapes them. This perspective suggests that media content is produced in response to existing public sentiments and demands, implying that media merely mirrors society's pre-existing views rather than actively molding them. On the other hand, source 10 focuses on the psychological impacts of fear in animals. This source argues that the media's portrayal of offenders as "predators" might not be the sole or even primary factor in shaping public attitudes or policies. This source suggests that there are innate, possibly evolutionary, responses to perceived threats that could influence societal attitudes and policies.

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Sources 11: Media Consumption, Perceptions of Crime Risk and Fear of Crime: Examining Race/Ethnic Differences (Callanan, 2012) and 12: Framing Justice: Media, Bias, and Legal Decision Making (Moriearty, 2010) both explore the influence of media on people's perceptions of crime and justice. The first source focuses more on how different racial and ethnic groups perceive crime risk and fear of crime through media consumption, while the second source delves into how media framing and bias impact legal decision-making processes. Together, the sources contribute to the understanding how media representations of crime and justice can shape public attitudes, influence policy decisions, and affect legal outcomes.

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Framing Justice: Media, Bias, and Legal Decision Making

(Moriearty, 2010)

The continuous exposure to legal themes through the media can influence how individuals perceive the law, law enforcement, and the overall justice system. For example, crime dramas on TV often depict a simplified version of legal procedures, sometimes glamorizing certain aspects of law enforcement. These portrayals can create unrealistic expectations about how the legal system operates in real life. Moreover, the media can also influence societal attitudes towards law and order, punishment, and rehabilitation. By repeatedly showcasing certain types of crimes or criminals, the media can contribute to the formation of stereotypes and biases that affect how individuals view offenders and the appropriate responses to crime.

This never-ceasing theme investigates the psychological effects of media coverage on the various “actors” within the legal system, including judges, lawyers, and law enforcement, and how this impacts their decision-making processes.

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All four of these sources help support my claim that policymakers often choose punishment over rehabilitation. One key factor from all of the sources is the influence of public opinion, which is shaped by media portrayals of offenders. When public perception is more focused on punishment and retribution, policymakers may feel pressured to align with these sentiments to maintain public support and address concerns about crime. Additionally, the sources mention that there might be a belief among policymakers that harsher punishments serve as a deterrent to crime, leading them to prioritize punitive measures.

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Sources 5: Framing Justice: Media, Bias, and Legal Decision Making (Moriearty, 2010) and 6: Sex Offender Recidivism

(Soothill, 2010) might not seem immediately related, but they share a deeper connection through the lens of how media framing can influence public perceptions and legal outcomes, particularly concerning highly stigmatized groups like sex offenders. The deep connection between the two sources lies in the potential for media framing to impact the perception of sex offender recidivism. If the media disproportionately highlights recidivism cases and frames them in a way that suggests a high likelihood of reoffense, it can lead to a climate of fear and a push for more stringent laws and policies. This can affect the legal decision-making process, where judges and policymakers might feel pressured to impose harsher sentences measures for sex offenders due to the public's perception of high recidivism rates, which may be influenced by media bias.

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All of these sources help emphasize how the media's role in shaping societal attitudes and, by extension, influencing the policymaking process in ways that can lead to more punitive outcomes. The media has the power to shape attitudes through its ability to frame issues, highlight specific narratives, and portray certain offenders in particular ways. Through repeated exposure to certain messages and images, the media can reinforce stereotypes. This influence can be subtle yet pervasive, impacting societal norms, values, and attitudes over time.

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How can improvement on views of offenders in the media lead to better policymaking in the criminal justice system?

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TITLE/AUTHOR

They're Planting Stories in the Press: The Impact of Media Distortions on Sex Offender Law and Policy

(Cucolo and Perlin, 2013)

"Someone with a history of sexual assaults against children should never be allowed on the street to re-offend. That's a slap in the face, especially in a neighborhood with lots of children. It's like putting an alcoholic in a tavern and expecting them not to drink. Communities should be protected from predators through tougher prison sentences - not through civil commitment. This is lifetime preventive detention, solely to prevent possible further crime . . . . The U.S. Supreme Court has never authorized lifetime confinement of someone who is not mentally disabled in some meaningful sense, simply to prevent possible recidivism" (Cucolo and Perlin, 2013).

"States have struggled to comply with the federal mandates and are overwhelmed with the difficulty of effectively monitoring a huge pool of registrants - often increased by the Adam Walsh Act requirements - while trying to appease the public by making a showing of being "tough on sexual predators" (Cucolo and Perlin, 2013).

The public's passive acceptance of media and politician-driven images of crime has led to the belief that judges impose excessively lenient sentences, despite the harsher nature of sentences through mandatory minimum legislation, sentencing guidelines, and moral panics.

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Media Effects on Attitudes Towards the Criminal Justice System

(Werner, 2015)

Victims or their families who have been victims or arrested are more likely to support rehabilitation than the general public, suggesting that those with direct or almost direct contact with crime are more likely to support measures to stop crime before it begins.

"White citizens are also more likely to have a more punitive approach to crime than black citizens, who have a tougher approach to the causes of crime, meaning that they would like to deter crime before it happens, as opposed to punishing offenders after they have committed the crime. This difference shows how important race is in attitudes towards the criminal justice system" (Werner, 2015).

As individuals age, their view of crime and punishment tends to become more conservative.

"Those who have more classes that involve criminal justice issues have different viewpoints of aspects of the criminal justice system, such as a more liberal view of punishments" (Werner, 2015).

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Media and Society: A Critical Perspective

(Berger, 2003)

Media simply mirrors the fears, concerns, and biases that already exist within society. Policymakers are influenced by a complex array of factors including crime rates, expert opinions, and public demand for safety and justice, which may lead them to adopt more punitive policies independent of media portrayals.

There are instances where media has raised awareness about the need for criminal justice reform and rehabilitation, thus having a potentially positive influence on policy.

Sending an offender to prison isn't a very effective way to deter crime.

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Between the Waves: Mass-Mediated Themes of Crime and Justice

(Barak, 1994)

Focusing on the most extreme and sensational crimes, the media shapes public fears and perceptions about crime. This skewed representation can lead to a public that is more fearful of rare, violent crimes than of more common but less sensational offenses. In turn, this can lead to “tough on crime” policies.

Imaging stimulates the conscious and unconscious, forming identities based on gender, racial, and class-based media characters. The focus is on popular images of crime and justice shaping collective personalities in law and order issues.

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Media Effects on Attitudes Towards the Criminal Justice System

(Werner, 2015)

Attitudes towards the criminal justice system significantly influence society, with confidence levels influencing support and policies. Public opinion, particularly fear of certain crimes, is closely linked to respect for the system, shaping important policies and laws, even if not accurately reflecting reality.

18-29-year-olds have the highest confidence in the criminal justice system, while 30-49-year-olds are least confident. Age-related attitudes towards crime and punishment are more conservative as individuals age (Werner, 2015).

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Sex Offender Recidivism

(Soothill, 2010)

Punishment alone does not prevent sexual abuse, but it has become the dominant paradigm in the public sphere for dealing with sexual offenders, making it challenging for professionals to develop alternative scenarios.

The political landscape plays a role, as policymakers may opt for punitive approaches to align with popular opinion and secure votes. Moreover, the immediate visibility and perceived cost-effectiveness of punishment compared to long-term rehabilitation programs can also sway policymakers towards punitive measures.

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Media Consumption, Perceptions of Crime Risk and Fear of Crime: Examining Race/Ethnic Differences

(Callanan, 2012)

“Because the distribution of official crime offending and victimization is patterned by social structure such that African Americans and Latinos on average are more likely to have been victims of crime and/or have been or know individuals that have been under the auspices of the criminal justice system than whites, these experiences should filter their interpretations of crime-related media messages to produce different outcomes from crime-related media consumption than whites” (Callanan, 2012, p.3).

There can be resistance to new approaches within the criminal justice system due to institutional laziness and the “that’s how we’ve always done it” mindset.

Policymakers may shy away from evidence-based policies if they believe that those policies won’t be popular with the public, whose opinions are often shaped by media portrayal.

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TITLE/AUTHOR

Framing Justice: Media, Bias, and Legal Decision Making

(Moriearty, 2010)

Media can shape societal attitudes towards law and order, punishment, and rehabilitation by forming stereotypes and biases that affect individuals' views on offenders and appropriate responses to crime.

When media coverage emphasizes violent crimes or portrays offenders in a way that stokes fear, the public may become more supportive for harsher punishments. This is because people want quick and decisive action to feel safe, and punishment can seem like the fastest way to deal with the problem.

The concept of the "superpredator" that emerged in the media in the 1990s is an example of how powerful negative stereotypes can shape public opinion. This term painted a picture of young, primarily African American males as being inherently dangerous and beyond rehabilitation, which in turn influenced policymakers to enact more punitive laws, like "three strikes" rules and mandatory minimum sentences.

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Policymakers are swayed by a multitude of factors beyond media influence (counterargument)

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Policymakers focus on punishment rather than rehabilitation.

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The issue of media portrayals of offenders arises and shapes public opinion in a way that pressures policymakers to adopt punitive crime policies that may not align with evidence-based practices, and as a result, policies may be formulated based on stereotypes. According to Emily Werner, a professor of media studies at Harvard University, when individuals lose confidence in the system's ability to address crime and deliver justice impartially, it can lead to skepticism and a sense of uncertainty about the system's integrity and reliability (2015). It has been demonstrated that the media's focus on high-profile, serious offenses causes panic and a fear of an expansion of crime in our communities. As a result, there is tremendous public pressure on lawmakers to pass more oppressive laws and on courts to interpret them in a way that guarantees criminals will serve longer prison terms. Fear is increased by the media's depiction of a "largely ineffective" criminal justice system; dramatized portrayals of crime on television may give viewers the impression that "all offenders are monsters" who should be feared. For example, the media coverage surrounding the case of the Central Park Five portrayed them in a highly negative light, using stereotypes that fueled public outrage about the case. This biased portrayal influenced public opinion and policymakers, leading to a rush of judgment and the implementation of harsh policies, such as increased policing and tougher sentencing laws (Burns, 2012). The critical issue, therefore, is how to ensure that criminal justice policies are shaped by factual evidence. In an effort to address this, balancing public opinion and empirical evidence in policymaking is crucial to ensuring that decisions are not solely driven by popular sentiment but are also grounded in research and data for more effective and sustainable outcomes.

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Dramatic media portrayals of crime can drive "tough on crime" policies.