Crime and the press: Does newspaper crime coverage support myths about crime and law enforcement

This study involves a content analysis of six selected Texas newspapers to determine whether their news coverage supports myths about crime in the context of law enforcement. In pursuance to an answer to this question, the study seeks to identify any discrepancies between newspaper and criminal justice agency depictions of crime and law enforcement.;A review of the criminal justice literature disclosed 42 purported myths about crime and law enforcement. Through the use of a survey questionnaire administered to a panel of faculty members at the College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, these 42 propositions were reduced to seven which were analyzed.;The data indicated that some of the myths were supported by newspaper coverage and some were not. The myths that were supported were: (1) The police can control crime. (2) The police are primarily crime fighters. (3) Uniform Crime Report data accurately reflect crime rates and the incidence of crime.;The myths that were not supported by press coverage were: (1) Violent crime victimization is more apt to occur in the streets than at home. (2) Women are more likely than men to be victims of crime. (3) The victims of crime seldom know or recognize their offenders. (4) Most murders are stranger-to-stranger crimes.