The Impact of Crime News on Crime Prevention Practices in Daily Life

BRENDA FOCAS

Boston

Congreso; Nuestra América: Justice and Inclusion; 2019

Field studies on sociology of crime have tended to consider the mass media as just another research variable with emphasis on stereotypical representations of criminals, especially that of young poor males from Buenos Aires suburbs. Based on empirical research on Buenos Aires city middle class sectors, this article shows that interpretations of crime news vary among people, and promote different meanings on insecurity and crime prevention practices. For this analysis I propose, firstly, to position insecurity as a public issue and a major everyday concern in Argentinian society. Secondly, to analyse crime safety management in relation to broadcasts in the media and other sources of information, in order to account for their impact on the speeches of respondents, and the interweaving with their experiences and behaviours. Finally, I intend to reflect on the changes in the regime of visibility of the issue both in the media and public agendas.