Media, Morality, and the Sociology of Fear: How News Framing Shapes Public Perception of Crime Learning

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of media framing on public perceptions of crime, focusing on episodic versus thematic coverage, sensational visual elements, and digital amplification. Using a mixed-methods design, a content analysis of 300 news articles was conducted alongside a survey of 400 news consumers. The content analysis revealed that episodic framing dominated coverage, emphasizing individual responsibility and dramatic details of criminal incidents, while thematic frames addressing systemic factors appeared less frequently. Sensational visual elements, including graphic crime-scene images and emotional depictions of victims, were prevalent and contributed to heightened audience arousal and fear. Survey results indicated a strong positive correlation between exposure to sensational crime news and perceived fear, whereas exposure to neutral or non-sensational reporting exhibited minimal effects. Regression analysis demonstrated that both sensational media exposure and fear significantly predicted support for punitive crime-control policies, with trust in media moderating this relationship. Advanced analyses further identified platform-specific framing tendencies, the mediating role of fear, and significant demographic and attitudinal moderators, such as media trust. The study also highlighted the amplifying role of social media, where virality and algorithmic promotion intensified fear and moral outrage. These findings suggest that media framing, particularly episodic and sensationalized coverage, shapes public perceptions, emotional responses, and policy preferences. The study underscores the importance of balanced reporting, media literacy interventions, and ethical guidelines for crime reporting to mitigate unwarranted fear. It contributes to understanding how traditional and digital media collectively influence social attitudes toward crime.

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