The media plays a crucial role in informing society regarding current events. Nevertheless, the media can omit some facts associated with a particular event to excite its audience. A plethora of society members knows that the media can exaggerate information when reporting a particular event (Schultz 22). One of the concerns involves the impact of media’s bias on the public’s perception of the criminal justice system. The paper discusses the media bias regarding its coverage of police officers.
Recently, Newsweek published an article outlining the incidences of police brutality on both demonstrators and the journalists covering the protests associated with George Floyd’s death (Slisco para. 1). Some reputable research center affiliated with Harvard University recorded more than 300 cases where law enforcement officers victimized journalists (Slisco para. 3). ACLU, a human rights advocacy organization, has condemned and sued the police for the deadly force that led to the death of Floyd. Police officers and the department heads seem to support their attack on protestors and journalists.
The article is biased because it includes only pieces of information that portray the police as inhumane. The article indicates that the police have been using excessive force on individuals protesting the death of Floyd and journalists covering the event. The assertions are backed with evidence from research groups and activist organizations. All the pieces of evidence provided portray the entire police department as proponents of brutality. For instance, all officers attached at Buffalo Unit, New York, resigned after the suspension of two colleagues who shoved an older activist during Floyd's death demonstrations (Slisco para. 11). Media bias can occur in the form of the choice of words covering a story (Kellison para. 4). The current article quotes speeches of an activist group that used bitter words condemning the police for their inhumane treatment of Floyd.
The law allows the police to apply a force that aligns with the threat. Regarding Texas Penal Code, force is allowable when an officer has a reasonable belief in the immediate necessity of using the harsh actions to assist arrest or prevent escape (“Texas Penal Code § 9.51. Arrest and Search” para. 1)). Newsweek article did not portray any instance where police officers’ use of force could have been justifiable. Racially charged circumstances can draw the media’s attention away from reporting the truth to airing its opinion (Schultz 10). Protests involving racially charged incidences like in Floyd's case have a high potential for violence. Nevertheless, the article did not mention any instance where some protesters were violent. As such, the media did not include any evidence that could support the use of force against the demonstrators. In furtherance, the article does not mention whether some protestors were arrested. Creating awareness of the arrest of the protestors would trigger the public to question the reason behind the detention.
The due process and crime control models present a binary framework, where the latter focuses on the implementation of a fair system that does not violate both defender’s and plaintiff’s constitutional rights while the former emphasizes the repression of criminal activities. The case presented in the Newsweek article aligns with the crime control model. The crime control framework emphasizes promoting safety and order in the society over individual freedoms. Law enforcement officers have significant latitude regarding their decision to use force when arresting individuals. By contrast, due process requires the protection of individual's freedoms and rights at all stages of the criminal justice system.
In conclusion, the current article presents bias against the police because all the evidence used supports the protestors and journalists. The reading omits all facts that could have portrayed any violent or undesirable behaviors during the demonstrations. All the protesters are viewed as peaceful, whereas the police are portrayed as violent. Although the police might have used excessive force, the article does not include any information that can vindicate some police officers.
Works Cited
“Texas Penal Code § 9.51. Arrest and Search.” Class Notes.
Kellison, Cole. “Media Bias and Representation of Law Enforcement,” Messiah University, n.d., www.messiah.edu/download/downloads/id/7735/Cole_Kellison.pdf. Accessed 31 Jan. 2021.
Schultz, James. "Media Coverage of Law Enforcement and Effects of the Image Created," Senior Theses, 2019, no. 127. 1-33. Doi: 10.33015/dominican.edu/2019.CMS.ST.01.
Slisco, Aila. “Increased Attacks on Journalists Covering Protests Coincide with Videos of Police Attacking Unarmed Protestors,” Newsweek, 6 July 2020, www.newsweek.com/increased-attacks-journalists-covering-protests-coincide-videos-police-attacking-unarmed-1509136. Accessed 31 Jan. 2021.
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