presents a seminar on
Public Opinion, The Media And Crime Policy
by
Dr. David Indermaur
Senior Research Fellow,
Law School, Crime Research Centre,
University of Western Australia
David Indermaur, (PhD, M. Psych (Clin), BSc (hons) has been working in the field of corrections and criminology for the last 23 years, initially as a psychologist working with offenders, later as an investigator into public attitudes towards sentencing, drug use patterns of offenders, and other topics. More recently his interests have concerned trends in violent crime as well as understanding the factors contributing to the rate of violent crime.
Abstract:
Many countries in the western world are experiencing
a revival of punitive crime policies. This is most notable in the United
States and it is from the US that many of the new punitive policies (such
as "three strikes") are being exported. Australia has just experienced
a crisis in sentencing policy precipitated by mandatory sentencing
laws in two of its jurisdictions. What marked this crisis [and characteristic
of the new punitiveness] has been the justifications for the new
"tough" approach. The approach is no longer justified as necessary to reduce
crime or as a way to ensure safety in the community. Politicians know that
the figures will not support them if they mount that argument. The new
policies are justified, therefore, on the basis of popular appeal. It is
what the public want, the public are satisfied with them and the politicians
own popularity is enhanced by them. It is for these reasons the new punitiveness
is often referred to as populist. There is now a "direct feed" between
immediate popularity and penal policy. This link has been engendered to
some extent by the increasing reach, relevance and packaging of the
media. Crime and punishment policies are mostly important politically for
their symbolic power. Crime and punishment can deliver symbols of power
in a way few other areas can and thus provide a means of posturing and
display exacerbated by media coverage. In this talk mechanisms of media
influence which encourage the promotion of populist crime policy will be
discussed as well as possible remedies.
ALL ARE WELCOMED
Date: Wednesday, April 12, 2000
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Senior Common Room, 15/F, K.K. Leung Building, The University of Hong Kong.