LE3 .A278 2010

2010

Brickner, Rachel

Acadia University

Master of Arts

Masters

Sociology

Sociology

This thesis explores and critiques the progress of the crime- media effects debate. The objective of this thesis is to review three areas of literature ( news- media literature, crime- media effects literature, and online media literature) in order to develop a theoretical approach, framed primarily by a Gramscian concept of hegemony and a Foucauldian concept of panoptic discipline, to utilise for future research into crime- media effects. A literature review to survey the main areas of debate and a theoretical discussion were undertaken. As a result, several observations are made as to where the debate could progress. This thesis suggests that Gramsci and Foucault have been underused by commentators in a critical fashion and should be utilised more to benefit future research. The crime- media literature is oversaturated with research into fear and this thesis requests that more be done to examine more fully other emotional responses which may have bearing on the subject ( anger, apathy, etc.). Mixed- methods should be utilised further by researchers, though this is complicated by issues of cost and practicalities. Online media holds potential for academic engagement in the debate and this thesis begins a discussion of the issues involved in studying online media in relation to crime news. The individualising effects of online media were discussed in particular, and questions were raised regarding if individualisation via online media significantly impacts people‟ s perceptions of crime more than compared to older media ( newspaper, radio, television).

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:157