Tabloid and Traditional Television News Magazine Crime Stories: Crime Lessons and Reaffirmation of Social Class Distinctions

Abstract

In recent times, critics have charged that tabloid news emphasizes and sensationalizes criminal behavior - thereby violating the journalistic ideal of providing objective information to the citizens of a democratic society. Yet, these claims have not been subjected to systematic investigation. This study compares tabloid and traditional broadcast news magazine programs in terms of their emphasis on crime and the content of their crime narratives. Results indicate that tabloid shows are more likely than traditional shows to feature crime stories. Both types of programs give crime stories similar prominence, and the content is relatively similar. However, tabloid shows are more likely than traditional shows to present the criminal as belonging to the middle or upper class. By contrast, traditional shows are more likely to present the criminal as belonging to the working class.