Crime in Mass Media

Idealogical CriticismAnna Williams

What is Idealogical What is Idealogical Criticism?Criticism?

Ideology is the study of the ideas prominent in a society.

Ideological criticism is when the ideology is questioned and analyzed.

This method of analysis is also often connected with marxist views on society.

Do We Glorify Do We Glorify Crime?Crime?

Although we may not notice it, but crime has been a common theme throughout mass media. We are

often drawn towards shows, movies, and other mediums that depict criminal activity. But is it

sometimes glorified? With media being so prevalent in our lives and with its known effects on

behavior, does this glorification make us more understanding and tolerant towards people who engage in such activities? Does it influence the

way people justify committing a crime?

Basic DefinitionsBasic Definitions

Glorification: as Oxford dictionary defines it, is when something is “describe[d] or represent[ed] as admirable, esp. unjustifiably or undeservedly”

Crime: defined by Oxford dictionary as follows: “an action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law”

Instances of Instances of Glorification of Glorification of

CrimeCrimeI will look at two different mediums in which this happens:Television and Movies

Television

Premium

•Network

•Cable

NetworkNetworkNews: During tragic events, criminals, or alleged criminals, get their moments in the spot light after they have made the news for their crime. For some this may even be one their motives. In most cases we know much more about the criminal than the victim or anyone who attempted to stop the crime from happening.

OJ SimpsonAlthough already famous before the

trial, Simpson capitalized on his increased publicity by writing his

infamous book “If I Did It”

Casey AnthonyWith the new found fame from her trial, there is a new made for T.V. Lifetime movie about her trial:

“Prosecuting Casey Anthony.”

Seung-Hui ChoReleased tapes and picture

moments before his shooting rampage at Virginia Tech. NBC decided to air some of these

shocking tapes.

AnalysisAnalysis

In hopes of trying to educate people of these criminal, or alleged criminal, activities the news ends up glorifying these people. Casey Anthony and O.J. Simpson have gained recognition and have capitalized on there trials. Due to the extensive media coverage people began to care about these two alleged murderers. Also, for those that believed they actually committed these crimes, it sends the message that with enough media coverage, and money it is possible to get away with murder.

Also in the case of the Virginia Tech shooting, it is a major concern that people who empathize with Seung-Hui Cho may copy his behaviors. One news report on CBS.com asks the question whether the videos that the shooter sent in to NBC news, should have been aired or not. The reporter opened this question to several psychiatrists who had overwhelmingly negative responses to the airing of these videos. One psychiatrist that was quoted in this article warned about “provoking copycat behavior” with these videos. "The critical issue is balancing the public's need to know against the potential danger of provoking copycat behavior. The power of the Columbine tragedy was evident in Cho's writing.” Dr. Jerald Kay.

AnalysisAnalysis

Cable and PremiumOn both cable and premium television programming there have been several award winning shows glorifying criminal activities.

Examples:Breaking Bad: 33 awards including 2Golden

Globes and 80 award nominations

Boardwalk Empire: 32 wards including 2 Golden Globes and 53 award nominations

The Sopranos: 84 awards including 5 Golden Globes and 217 award nominations

The Wire: 11 awards including 2 Primetime Emmys and 41 nominations

Weeds: 11 awards including 1 Golden Globe and 67 award nominations

DiscussionIn these award winning television programs, the prevalence of crime is within its very subject matter. These shows not only depict crime but they justify it. In the popular television show “Breaking Bad” the main character, who is diagnosed with terminal cancer, looks for a way to provide for his family on a high school teacher’s salary. He uses his extensive chemistry knowledge to produce and sell high quality crystal meth.

Another one of these shows is the that was highly popular was the Sopranos, which even though it ended in 2007, still plays frequently

on AMC. This show is about a New Jersey mob boss and the professional and personal struggles he is faced with everyday. In

this show, although there are depictions of hardship, the way of life for Tony Soprano is deeply captivating. When there is a person or

entity like this, it is difficult for many people not to want to emulate his/her characteristics.

Movies

Ever since the days of Humphrey Bogart in “Maltese Falcon” and James Cagney in “The Public Enemy”, crime movies have been a huge part of American film. This is

where much of the glorification and romanticizing of criminals lies. Even with directors and actors like Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro, whose careers are based on trying to bring the nitty gritty truth to the big screen,

have inadvertently glorified crime. By their ability to bring dimension to some gruesome human beings, they

made these characters like-able. These movies also makes the life of many criminals seem so glamorous.

However these depictions are rarely true or their consequences are overlooked and deemed unimportant.

West Side Story (Best Picture:1961): This movie it is a romantic tale of a forbidden love between two members of rival gangs.There is much gang violence however, but that only adds to the story making it more romantic.

The Godfather (Best Picture1972): In this movie the head of a major mafia family is painted in a gracious light. He is not seen as a criminal, but more of someone who is a protector of his business family and his actual family (as seen in the very first scene).

Chicago (Best Picture 2002): With the musical and dancing aspects of this movie it makes prison life in the 1920s for Women as a stepping stone to fame. In this movie these female murderers go to prison for killing their partners and husbands, but they all avoid the noose. The only one that does get hanged in this movie is the one innocent woman who lost her last hearing because she couldn’t afford a lawyer. After the two lead get out of jail, however, they combine talents to start/continue their dancing and singing show business careers.

Examples of glorifying the life of a criminal:2008 Henry Hill interview

segment

However, this isn’t the only way movies paint crime in a positive light. There are

many circumstances where the role of film in a crime story is to present a righteous reason for participating in a criminal act. Many of these movies have the underdog factor in them which makes many people

relate to the characters.

ConclusionThe ideology is that crime is often glorified, romanticized and heavily depicted in mass media. Although these depictions can be very interesting and entertaining, they can be dangerous. Cho, Virginia Tech massacre shooter, even stated in one of his videos that he wanted to be “like a Quentin Tarantino character.”

Relating back to the Marxist theory that the ruling class decides what is displayed in media. >On television people that run the networks decide what goes on air. >Golden Globe and Emmys are given to all of those programs (mentioned previously.)>In Movies many are Oscar Best Picture winners

ReferencesExperts speak out:seung-hui cho's video 'manifesto'. (2007,

April 19). Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/VATech/story?id=3057966&page=1

Hill, H. (2008). [Audio Tape Recording]. Mafia memories-henry hill revisited. Henry Hill, Youtube.com., Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC54xF3veME

Imdb.com. (1990-2012). Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0439100/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1

Oxford.(2012) Oxford University Press. Retrieved December 9, 2012, from http://oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/glorify?

q=glorification#glorify__11

Van Horn , C. (2012, November 30). Casey anthony lifetime movie premiere date. Examiner. Retrieved from http://www.examiner.com/article/casey-anthony-lifetime