Does publicly reporting crimes lead to more criminal activity?

[samanthajane13]

My grandmother had a theory.

Reporting crimes in the media leads to other-mentally unstable-people to copy the crimes or try to top them.

I'm not saying that no crimes should be reported, but if you only hear about the case AFTER the fact-for example-when a conviction is handed down, might it not have the reverse effect???

And publishing ALL the gory details...my GOD!!! No wonder people are getting more violent.

Like one of my heros-Judge Judy-says, "Keep it SIMPLE, stupid!" Just say so-and-so was killed or was robbed or was attacked.

This could also put an end to mis-trials and change of venues due to info leaks and too much publicity.

Considering our Freedom of the Press, and our Freedom of Information, etc, are we actually enabling more nuts to commit crimes, or would they dream up these horrors all by themselves???

It makes me wonder...

What do YOU think??

[kurro07]

It is true that some crimes lead to copy cats and maybe if they weren't so glorified in the media ppl with problems may not be driven to copycat. The problem is ppl WANT to know all the gory details and since it's how the media makes money they tell the details.

[Zuras]

I think this only rely applies to mega-crimes that are just draw dropping where the perp gets lots of attention and whatnot. Like the recent campus shooting that many dead and the media saturation of the event that lasts still to this day. I think smaller-media gathering ones my REDUCE crime by people seeing what can happen and being more aware of their environment in certain situations.