Currently, media like newspaper and television tend to broadcast the details of crimes in order to attract more people’s attention. Some people worry that it would have potential negative impacts on society and there should be strict regulation on the revelation of crimes in the media. As far as I am concerned, I agree with the view.
Admittedly, the detailed description of crimes, to some extent, plays an important role in informing and educating the public. To be specific, it can warn the public to raise awareness of self-defense. Detailed descriptions of crimes can help raise awareness about specific types of offenses and encourage people to take steps to protect themselves. For example, if a series of burglaries occurs in a particular neighborhood, a detailed account in the local newspaper or on television might prompt residents to improve their home security or report any suspicious activity they observe.
On the other hand, with too many details of various criminal behaviors revealed to the public, people may be tempted to commit crimes. For people who have evil thoughts and ideas, it is possible for them to get inspiration and stimulation from the description and make their own illegal plans. Inevitably, the description of crimes in details can also arouse some adolescents’ curiosity to imitate criminal behavior. As teenagers are generally too immature to distinguish right from wrong, they may commit serious crimes such as robbery and arson. In this case, it is necessary for media to be cautious while reporting crimes.
From my perspective, in consideration to social effects, media should not reveal crimes with too many details in case that some people will imitate and increase the incidence of crimes.