Crime is among the top concerns of the American public.  Concern and fear of
crime is influenced by many different sources, including the news media.
Newspapers, television stations, and radios are among the most influential
sources used by the public to develop opinions about crime and the criminal
justice system.  Moreover, the frequent presentation of crime in
entertainment sources increases the importance of understanding the media
images presented to the public.  Although the images of crime and criminal
justice are important, our understanding of the media as a social control
institution is limited.  This points to the fundamental question addressed
in this course: what role does the mass media play in crime control?