| A great deal of the academic literature regarding the mass media seems to take for granted that it is responsible for a variety of "problems" that increase public support for tough-on-crime policies. For example, the mass media is blamed for popular misconceptions about crime, declining confidence in criminal justice institutions, and an increasing fear of crime and overestimation of risk. Consequently, many academics are encouraging their peers and students to engage in "public criminology" and use the mass media to educate an ignorant and misguided public. However, the results of this paper suggest that the mass media is far more critical and complex. Relying on a discourse analysis of non-fictional media relating to Bill C-10, this paper argues that many media sources are already actively engaged in this process and are seeking to educate the public about the 'realities' of legislations like C-10 and the criminal justice system in general. |
