The impact of newspaper reports on fear of violent crime in Hong Kong. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Runping; Krever, Richard; Choi, Alfred Siu Kay
• Is Part Of: Newspaper research journal. Volume 39:Number 4(2018)
• Page Start: 470
• Page End: 480
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: newspaper impact -- fear of crime -- awareness of crime -- sensationalism; Newspapers -- Periodicals; Journalism -- Periodicals; 070.172
• DOI: 10.1177/0739532918806889
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-5329

Abstract

This study analyzed violent crime reports in three large circulation newspapers and tested by survey the relationship between newspaper reporting of crime and fear of crime. As was expected, there was a nexus between more sensationalist newspaper reporting and the public's fear of crime. Unexpected findings were an inverse relationship between newspaper format and awareness of violent crime, and also between awareness of crime and fear of crime.