The role of media image in crime prevention : a qualitative approach

Abstract AR

The rapid development of information technologies in recent decades has changed the terrain on which crime is reported.

Today, crime stories are increasingly selected and “produced” as media events, based on their visual potential.

In other words, how an event can be conveyed in images and words determines what is deemed “newsworthy”.

While TV stations have always been primarily concerned with producing an “appealing visual product”, press representations have recently also become intensely visual phenomena.

This research focuses on the role of media image in crime prevention.

More specifically, it delineates the key functions of media image pertaining to its communicative role in informing audiences on crime-related issues.

This research aims to answer the following main question: What is the role of media image in crime prevention? It also aims to answer the following sub-questions: What is the substance of media imagery? How should it be employed in crime prevention? What is their function in crime prevention? The aim of answering these questions is providing information and guidance for those wishing to use media image as a crime prevention tool.

The study reported here was conducted as qualitative research, with the objective of determining the common interpretation of the phenomenon.

The main suggestions of this research are: (1) Increasing the understanding of media image principles and considering new methods of using this form of communication in crime prevention.

(2) Adopting a visual [media image] strategy by promoting crime prevention practices and to educate victims, or deter offenders.

(3) Extending the scope of the current research to include qualitative and quantitative studies on perception and visual communication across security agencies.