Media coverage and public understanding of sentencing policy in relation to crimes against children

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12900313
AutoresMike Berry (University of Nottingham, autor de correspondencia), Greg Philo (0000-0003-1552-4563), Giuliana Tiripelli (0000-0002-9681-2550), Stevie Docherty, Cluny Macpherson (0000-0001-5302-6405, University of Glasgow)
Año2012
Volumen12
Número5
Páginas567-591
Fecha de publicación2012-02-14
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCriminology & Criminal Justice (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1748-8958 • E-ISSN: 1748-8966
EditorialSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/1748895811432956
OpenAlexW2098835106
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas24

This research examines how the media report on sentences given to those who commit serious crimes against children and how this impacts on public knowledge and attitudes. Three months of press and television coverage were analysed in order to establish the editorial lines that are taken in different sections of the media and how they are promoted by selective reporting of sentencing. Results indicate that a small number of very high profile crimes account for a significant proportion of reporting in this area and often, particularly in the tabloid press, important information regarding sentencing rationale is sidelined in favour of moral condemnation and criticism of the judiciary. Polling data indicate that public attitudes are highly critical of sentencing but also confused about the meaning of tariffs. The article concludes by discussing what can be done to promote a more informed public debate over penal policy in this area

Business · Commit · Criminology · Criticism · Meaning (existential · Media coverage · Media studies · Order (exchange · Political science · Politics · Polling · Public discourse · Relation (database · Sentence · Sentencing guidelines · Sociology · Child Abuse and Trauma · Criminal Justice and Corrections Analysis · Law · Psychology · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending