Media reports on crime in Slovenia

Crime, its perpetrators and criminal justice agencies draw the attention of the wider public. The link between the public (audience), the phenomenon of crime, perpetrators, criminal justice and correctional institutions is mostly established through the media. However, the media reality of crime is constructed and disfigured in qualitative and quantitative aspects. Theoretical findings are complemented by the use of qualitative and quantitative analysis of two daily newspapers: Slovenske novice and Delo. Research reveals different approaches in newspaper reports about crime. Crime represents a considerably higher proportion of content of Slovenske novice, in which particular emphasis is given to physical violence, especially extreme cases of violence and domestic violence and abuse. The analysed newspapers also differ in the use of language, selection of events, photo elements used in articles, the content and extent of titles, the content of the newspaper's front page, journalists' comments etc. Common aspects of newspaper reporting about crime are reports on extreme cases of crime, over-representation of official sources, an absence of expert opinions (sociologists, criminologists), a focus on physical violence, crimes connected to drugs, representation of national global news, the encouragement of intolerance and creation of prejudice.