Crime news is a staple of the modern media. It is reported and shared at a much higher rate than other types of news because it encapsulates powerful human emotions such as fear, greed, revenge and jealousy. It also reflects larger societal issues such as social cohesion and public safety. It is important that journalists report on crimes in a balanced and sensitive manner. They must not glorify criminals or create a negative image of their victims, and they must follow strict standards of decency when reporting on cases involving children.
It is also vital that journalists know how to write clearly and concisely. Readers want to know all the details of a crime, including how many people were involved and what weapons they used. They will also want to know whether the crime was part of a wider issue, such as knife-crime or organised smuggling. This is particularly important because the police may ask journalists not to share information that could compromise ongoing investigations or put people’s lives in danger.
A study of crime news found that different television stations had a very clear difference in the way they represented crime. For example, commercial stations tended to show more violent crimes than public TV. They also tended to focus more on specific crimes and less on the overall crime risk. This led the viewers to think that crime was on the rise, despite statistics that showed otherwise. This incorrect public perception can have a significant impact on the effectiveness of crime control.