| COVERING CRIME IN
CONTEXT
Ask people what they dislike about local television news and they'll
often say there's too much crime and violence. They frequently complain
that the coverage they see is negative and sensationalistic. What
viewers may not be aware of is the effect that kind of coverage
has on them. Research
shows that many viewers overestimate the amount and types of violence
in their communities and know little about efforts to prevent violence.
This story from Ike Seamans of WTVJ-TV
in Miami provides a comprehensive look at the issue.
With that in mind, NewsLab recently collaborated on a project to
illustrate a different approach to reporting on crime and violence--one
that explores the causes and consequences, putting context around
stories that often have none.
The Project
Working with freelance journalist Jane Ellen Stevens, NewsLab revoiced
and revised a series of crime stories provided by local stations
in California for the purpose of this experiment.
The stories were changed to include information about the cause
of the crime or violent incident, as well as a look at how future
such incidents could be prevented.
Changes were made only if the additional information could have
been developed by a reporter working on deadline, and if including
the information did not make the story much longer.
The Questions
- Context: Ask how often this type of crime or
violent incident occurs. This helps viewers understand whether
they should be concerned about this in their community.
- Consequences: Ask how this type of crime or
violent incident affects family members and the community, both
economically and emotionally.
- Risk factors: Ask about factors that violence
epidemiologists have identified as being linked with the particular
crime or violent incident.
- Resources: Include information about organizations
that are working to prevent similar incidents of crime and violence.
Story Example: Fatal Crash
A car accident has claimed the life of a popular teenager.
This is the original report.
(Note: we have revoiced this story.) You will need the free Real Media
player to view this story. Click here to download.
The story was modified to provide more context, and to include
information about risk factors and consequences.
Context: How common is this type of death? (Source:
Pacific
Center for Violence Prevention or U.S.
Fatality Analysis Reporting System Web sites.) This question puts
the accident into the context of a problem that needs to be addressed
if more deaths and injuries are to be prevented.
Risk factors: Where was the underage driver drinking? (Source:
police) This question raises the issue of where teenagers are getting
alcohol.
Consequences: How was the student who died actually killed?
(Source: police) This question explores what happens, exactly, when
you don't wear a seat belt.
The revised version of the
story includes the answers to these questions.
Story Example: Hate Crime
Three teenagers have been arrested for spray painting hate-related
graffiti at a synagogue and a high school. This is the original
report. (Note: we have revoiced this story.)
The story was modified to provide more context, and to include
information about consequences.
Context: How often do hate crimes occur in this community?
(Source: local police.) This question puts this incident in the context
of a problem that is rare and dealt with decisively by police, educators
and religious leaders.
Resources: What is the city doing to prevent hate crimes?
(Source: mayor at news conference)
Consequences: How much will it cost to clean up the graffiti?
(Sources: temple president, school administrator) This question gets
at both immediate and long-term costs.
The revised version of the story
includes the answers to these questions.
Story Example: Internet Threats
A boy has been arrested for making threats over the Internet against
students and teachers at his middle school. This is the original
report that aired not long after the shootings at Columbine High
School in Colorado. (Note: we have revoiced this story.)
The story was modified to provide more context, and to include
information about prevention and intervention.
Context: How many violent incidents have occurred at this
school? Has anything like this happened here before? (Source: school
principal.) This question can put the incident in a local context.
Context: Is juvenile crime in general going up or down? (Source:
US
Department of Justice report) This question puts the incident
in a national context.
Risk factors: What happened when the boy was arrested? (Source:
local police) This question offers a glimpse into the boy's background.
Resources: What could be done to help kids before they get
into trouble? (Source: school principal) This question shifts the
focus of the story to the need for more counselors.
The revised version of the story
includes the answers to these questions.
Story Example: Teenage Shooting
A boy has been shot to death after an argument between two groups
of teenagers. This is the original report
that aired not long after the shootings at Columbine High School in
Colorado. (Note: we have revoiced this story.)
The story was modified to provide more context, and to include
information about risk factors and prevention.
Context: How many teenagers are killed by guns? (Sources:
U.S.
Department of Justice report, San
Francisco Department of Public Health) This question can put the
incident in both a local and national context.
Risk factors: What type of gun was used? (Source: local police)
This question establishes that a particular type of gun--the handgun--figures
in most injuries and deaths.
Resources: What could be done to prevent kids from being
killed by guns? (Source: Million Mom March policy director, who works
in San Francisco)
Consequences: Why isn't the same attention paid to death
like this as there was to the deaths at Columbine? (Source: Berkeley
Media Studies Group) This question gets at the emotional impact of
the death on the community.
The revised version of the story
includes the answers to these questions.
Additional Resources
See NewsLab's guide to Internet
resources on covering criminal justice for links that can add
context to your reporting.
Consult Jane Ellen Stevens' handbook, "Reporting
on Violence," for more background and examples.
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