Citation

Fishman M. Soc. Probl. 1978; 25(5): 531-543.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1978, Society for the Study of Social Problems, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study explores how crime waves are constructed in the media and how they contribute to an ideology of crime. I present a case study of a major 1976 "crime wave against the elderly" in New York City. Analyzing data from participant observation, interviews, and content analysis of crime news, I shown that crime waves are heavily reported themes in crime which journalists perceive in selecting news. Crime waves result from processes internal to a news production system involving: a) the overlap of news judgements among media organizations, b) a "crime wave dynamic," and c) journalists' reliance on police for accounts of crime. Only a restricted class of crime themes--those dealing with street crime--ever become crime waves. Once a crime wave begins to emerge in the media, officials use their newsmaking powers to control its growth.