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Influence of Mass Media on Crime
27 Mar 2006
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The Fiji Police Force appreciates this invitation to contribute to the Fiji Media Watch Association Magazine. It is interesting to immediately note that there is a vital connection existing between the name the Association bears an the reasons for the existence of the Police Force; for its role and function to maintain Law, Order and Peace, the Force must inevitably be committed in its duty to keep watch!
The current rising crime and the various brutal and sophisticated nature of its committance in our communities, points out that there are factors beyond the control of the Police and hence the need to invoke alternative and more effective methods of keeping a vigilant watch. The Fiji Police force would like to ask how can we all as members of the Fiji Society prevent and combat Crime; and how can we all seriously cooperate in identify the underlying reasons that are creating crimes in our various communities.
A widely known preconception is: that a simple cause - and - effect relationship between the media and the behaviours and attitudes of the consumers exists. It is argued that while the media provides a form of entertainment, relaxation and a form of acquiring knowledge, it can also contribute to the changes in behaviour, attitudes and the character of individuals and can thus influence or drastically change the mores of a society as well.
More research is needed on the proposal that the media is one of the influences that can create incidences or develop circumstances that results in crimes. There is such a phenomena known in Police circles as "Copy Cat Crimes". The recent robbery with violence, burglaries, bank robberies by masked men and crime against public morality all appear to point to a method that is adopted from some source of influential learning - such as the violent films that fill the shelves of video shops and those smuggled from overseas.
The Crime trends for the last five years reveal interesting statistics which can help make connections between the nature of crime and the exhibition of video, films and magazine rife in the country. But further research needs to be conducted to ascertain the identifiable and indisputable link which can ultimately be measured and render the populace and the appropriate authorities proper ground for highlighting the kinds of media practices which definitely are the root of the problems. Otherwise simply relying on guesses will not convince the indifferent members of our society and the business proprietors about the urgency to cooperate at arriving at some permanent solutions to solving crimes caused by the media.
It does not rest on the Media Watch's shoulder alone to remind the citizens of this country their roles to become more aware of the benefits of the media in Fiji and to simultaneously by a more critical consumer and aware of its power and influence. More importantly to begin from the base of our society: helping the families of Fiji deal with both positive and negative aspects of the media is necessary. The Fiji Police Force believes that solving the problem of crime must be an undertaking of all institutions as it has political, Social, Economic and Cultural implications in our society.
An example of the subtle influence of the media is the way both the Police and the Media agencies can unconsciously commit a blunder. When the local evening news and our print media show the police haul of Marijuana. The value in monetary terms to describe the size of the haul can, unrealised by the media, be promoting the incentive to cultivate more marijuana especially when the market for farm produce is low.
The Police have in certain instances inadvertently promoted the negatives side of media presentation. In attempts to collect further information on cases the Police have had to go public and mention sufficient details to elicit some facts. Little is realised as to the extent a TV drama in real life is being portrayed. It must be realised that the Media is a sword that cuts both ways, it can would the perpetrator as well as bestow traumatic grief on the victim. There is a fine line to be trod and all of us who use it have to be aware of this delicately balanced and impressionable thread; learn from our own mistakes and use the media to promote awareness for the good of all.
Whatever the strength and effects, it will be justifiable to conclude that the mass media remains, for most of us, our most persuasive source of representation of violence, crime and socially unacceptable behaviour and provide the materials for shaping personal and collective impressions.
This persuasive source is a most potent weapon which we believe should not be sheathed and remain suppressed but when drawn it is to be used responsibly.
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