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Public Opinion, The News Media, and the Crime Problem

Public Opinion, The News Media, and the Crime Problem. Chapter Two. Public Opinion and Public Policy. Consensus View/Democratic Theory Consensus View – …a theory that people agree on norms despite their disparate socioeconomic positions. Public Opinion and Public Policy.

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Public Opinion, The News Media, and the Crime Problem

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  1. Public Opinion, The News Media,and the Crime Problem Chapter Two

  2. Public Opinion and Public Policy • Consensus View/Democratic Theory • Consensus View – • …a theory that people agree on norms despite their disparate socioeconomic positions.

  3. Public Opinion and Public Policy • Democratic Theory- • …postulates that decisions by public officials should reflect public opinion, which is said to reflect a consensus on the major issues of the day. (Barkan)

  4. Public Opinion and Public Policy • Criticisms of Democratic Theory: • Public officials are influenced more by a small, wealthy, powerful elite than by the general public. (Conflict Theory) • “The Tyranny of the Majority” ..majority rules-(Democratic Theory-…democratic principles of fairness, equality and justice.) • Majority views may violate these principles.

  5. Public Opinion and Public Policy • Criticisms: Cont’d • Public opinion is often inaccurate. • W.I. Thomas – Thomas Theorem: • …when men define situations as real, they are real in their consequences. (Even when they don’t meet objective reality.) • How does the public form its opinion?

  6. The News Media and Public Opinion on Crime • Research reflects that the major source of our information is: • News media – 65% • Politicians • Law Enforcement • Personal Experience – 21%

  7. The Nature of News Media • Overdramatization of crime • “…if it bleeds, it leads.” • “…20% of all stories.” (Barkan) • “…focusing on violent crime” • “…70% of news stories related to violence, while only 14% of arrests were for violent crimes…” (Shelton article)

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