Criminology Media Analysis Discussion Post (750 words)

Assessment Context

You are a second-year criminology student taking a core module on crime and media. The module examines how news, film, television, podcasts, and social media construct crime, offenders, and victims, and how these constructions shape public perceptions and criminal justice responses. The discussion post requires you to select a recent media item about crime and analyse it using criminological theories and research on media representation.

Discussion Task Instructions

Write a 750-word discussion post that analyses how a specific media item represents crime, offenders, victims, and criminal justice institutions, and evaluate the potential implications of that representation for public perceptions of crime and justice.

Step 1 – Select a media item

• Choose one crime-related media item produced within the last 12 months (e.g., a news article, TV news segment, true crime podcast episode, documentary extract, film scene, or viral social media post).
• The item must focus on a specific crime event, crime trend, or criminal justice issue (e.g., knife crime, sexual violence, police use of force, youth gangs, fraud, cybercrime, immigration and crime, or prison conditions).
• Ensure the item is accessible online so you can provide a full reference or link in your post.

Step 2 – Apply criminological concepts

In your discussion post, you must explicitly apply at least two criminological or sociological concepts or theories related to media and crime. Possible options include (but are not limited to):

• Moral panic and folk devils
• Newsworthiness and crime myths
• Media framing and narrative construction
• “Ideal victim” and “ideal offender”
• Cultivation theory and fear of crime
• Labelling theory and stigma
• Punitiveness and penal populism

Step 3 – Structure your 750-word post

1. Introduction (approx. 100–150 words)
   Briefly introduce your chosen media item (type, source, date) and the crime or justice issue it covers. State which key concept(s) or theory/theories you will draw on in your analysis.
2. Analytical discussion (approx. 450–500 words)
   • Describe how the media item frames the crime problem, offenders, and victims (e.g., language, imagery, narrative focus).
   • Use your chosen concepts to explain how the representation may amplify risk, personalise blame, construct “dangerous others”, or produce sympathy for particular victims.
   • Where possible, link your analysis to empirical research on media, crime, and public perceptions.
3. Implications (approx. 100–150 words)
   • Discuss at least two potential consequences of this representation for public trust, fear of crime, attitudes to punishment, or support for specific policies.
   • Comment briefly on any ethical concerns (e.g., presumption of innocence, victim privacy, stereotyping of social groups).
4. Reference (not included in word count)
   Provide a full reference or URL for your chosen media item and list any academic sources used in your post following your programme’s referencing style.

Discussion Board Requirements

Word count and posting

• Main post: approximately 750 words (±10%), excluding reference list.
• Post your analysis to the Week X discussion board by the stated deadline.
• Use clear paragraphs and full sentences; avoid bullet-point answers in the main body of the post.

Engagement with peers

• Respond to at least two peers’ posts (150–200 words each) by extending their analysis, offering a constructive critique, or bringing in additional theory or evidence.
• Responses should demonstrate respect, academic tone, and critical engagement, not simple agreement or repetition.

Marking Criteria (Discussion Post)

Your discussion post will be assessed using the following criteria, adapted from standard social science discussion board rubrics.

Criteria (indicative)

1. Use of criminological theory and concepts (30%)
   Accurate, explicit use of at least two relevant concepts or theories; strong integration of theory with the chosen media example.
2. Critical analysis of media representation (30%)
   Depth of analysis, clarity in identifying frames, stereotypes, and absences; ability to move beyond description to critique.
3. Use of evidence and scholarship (20%)
   Appropriate use of peer-reviewed research on media and crime; correct referencing and credible sources.
4. Clarity, structure, and academic writing (10%)
   Logical organisation, coherent paragraphs, precise language, and adherence to the 750-word guideline.
5. Engagement with peers (10%)
   Substantive, respectful responses that extend the discussion and demonstrate independent critical thinking.

Many students underestimate how powerfully crime stories in news and social media shape everyday assumptions about danger, order, and justice. A focused analysis of a single media item allows you to trace how language, images, and narrative choices construct particular “truths” about crime and criminality. When you connect those representations to core criminological theories, your discussion moves beyond opinion and becomes a grounded critique of how media can fuel fear, reinforce stereotypes, or push punitive policies.

• How does news and social media coverage of crime shape public fear, trust, and demands for punishment in contemporary criminology?

References

Use or adapt the following peer-reviewed and scholarly sources for this task:

• Greer, C. & McLaughlin, E. (2019) ‘Media and crime in the twenty-first century’, Theoretical Criminology, 23(4), pp. 475–492.
• Surette, R. (2022) Media, Crime, and Criminal Justice. 6th edn. New York: Routledge.
• Sahinoğlu, B. (2024) ‘Implications of media reports of crime for public trust and wellbeing’, Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, 182.
• Szczepan, B. (2024) ‘The impact of crime media on people’s perceptions of crime’, Master’s thesis, Maynooth University.
• Möser, L. (2019) ‘Social media, crime news, and fear of crime’, International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, 14(2), pp. 210–225.