Mediacoverage influences the public's perception of the criminal justice system andthe policy agendas of those within the system. This often results in changeswithin the operational structure of...

Media
Media and influence over public perception of the criminal justice system
Media
Introduction
Media has a great impact on the perception of people about the criminal justice system in a
nation. It has an important role to play. As people do not have any other source of perceptions
of the criminal justice system, unless and until they experience it and also they trust the media
to a great extent, this results in media having a great impact on the perceptions of the people
about the criminal justice system. It is essential to create control over media and responsibility
to give the right perception to the people so that it can help create the right image of the
criminal justice system. This is important because it is essential that there be an image that is
trust worthy and people consider taking help from the criminal justice system (Boros, E. &
Duns, J, 2010).
Portrayal of the criminal justice system in the media
The criminal justice system, in many ways, has been portrayed negatively by the media. It has
been depicted as a corrupt system which does not support the weak. In this way it results in
multiple problems as it creates a gap between the people and the criminal justice system. Justice
is an important part of a nation's security system and legal system (Hinchy, R. & McDermott, P.,
2009). When people lose confidence in the justice and system of the nation, then it causes
insecurities and instances where people feel the need to take the law in their hands. So it is
essential that the media portrays the criminal justice system as a favorable one and a suitable one
for the nation. The criminal justice system has revolutionized along time. Moreover as the
criminal justice system refers to the system where in legal system s, rules and regulations, ethics,
police and workforce for the prevention of crime are involved, it becomes essential that the
criminal system be strengthened in order to achieve welfare of the society (Boros, E. & Duns, J,
2010).
Impact on a viewer's perception as to the system's efficacy in dealing with crime
The viewer's perception as to the system's efficacy in dealing with crime, to a great extent, does
get influenced by media as they form opinions and judgments based on what the media reports
say. If they only state errors of the officials and the system then it is quite likely that people
lose trust in the system. 'The present criminal justice system is labeling system. There is a
legitimate reason to consider that the labeling...