The Role of the Media in Criminal Justice Policy : Prisons, Populism and the Press

This book provides a socio-legal examination of the media's influence on the development and implementation of criminal justice policy. This impact is often assumed. And, especially in the wake of high-profile crimes, the press is routinely observed calling for sentences to be harsher, and for governments to be tougher on crime. But how do we know that there is a connection? To answer this question, the book draws on a case-study of the media reporting of the rape and murder of Jill Meagher in Melbourne, Australia; as well as other well-known cases, including those of James Bulger, Sarah Payne, Stephen Lawrence and Michael Brown, among others. Deploying a socio-legal framework to examine how the media's often powerful and emotive narratives play a crucial role in the development and implementation of law, the book provides a deep and critical reflection on its influence. The book concludes with a number of suggestions for media reform: both to moderate the media's influence, and to incorporate a broader range of viewpoints. This multi-disciplinary book will appeal to scholars and students in socio-legal studies, criminology and criminal law as well as those working in relevant areas in sociology and media studies.

• | Author: Natalia Antolak-Saper
• | Publisher: Routledge
• | Publication Date: May 27, 2024
• | Number of Pages: NA pages
• | Language: English
• | Binding: Paperback
• | ISBN-10: 1032115270
• | ISBN-13: 9781032115276