| Despite the fact that crime news stories account for a significant portion of many local television news broadcasts, few studies assess whether this coverage is an accurate representation of criminal activity. Recent surveys find that half of Americans consider television to be their main source for news, thus studying the media's portrayal of crime and the media's potential impact on the criminal justice system becomes increasingly important. Through a content analysis of local television news broadcasts, this study examines how media stations in Kansas City, Missouri are reporting local crime and whether the media is creating an accurate depiction of crimes committed within the community. No studies pertaining to crime news stories have been conducted in the Kansas City market and interesting findings have emerged. |
