HOW DOES MEDIA LEAD TO FEAR OF CRIME?

• GERBNER found that heavy users of TV had higher levels of fear and crime

(HYPER REALITY) - Don't really know what's real and what's not

• Examples:
  • Crime watch
  • Instagram filters
  • X-factor

• Schlesinger and Tumber (1992) found a correlation between media consumption and fear of crime such as mugging

• HOWEVER, such a correlation does not prove that media viewing causes fear e.g. it may be those already afraid of going out because of crime therefore watch more TV

• Sparks (1992) argued research on media effects ignore the meanings viewers give to…