Effects of News Station Political Affiliation on Individuals’ Views of Violent Crime in America

Indianapolis, IN

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect that the news station affiliation of individuals' primary news source has on their perception of violent crime in America. Past studies have indicated that politically conservative news stations use stories to promote the idea that it is the responsibility of the government to protect victims of crimes and potential victims of crimes through incarceration, whereas politically liberal news sources use stories to promote the idea that rehabilitation benefits society as a whole better than incarceration. Studies have also found that individuals' perceptions of crime are influenced by the media. The purpose of this study is to add to this literature by examining whether or not the political leanings of the news stations has an effect on the perceptions of individuals consuming stories from those news stations. Data was collected through a survey administered to one hundred and fifty Butler undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 24 in a classroom setting. Data was collected on the news sources individuals are most likely to watch, individual perceptions on the prevalence of violent crimes on T.V. and in reality, and whether or not individuals believe that what news stations they watch had an effect on their own perceptions. Respondents were also asked to report their own political affiliation and ideology. It is hypothesized that media consumption will affect individuals' perceptions of violent crime in America and that participants that obtain their news from a conservative station will perceive that violent crime is more prevalent than participants that obtain their news from a liberal station.