ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we take a closer look at the media logics to explain the findings from the analysis of frontpage headlines in Chapter 7.2. We draw on interviews with journalists who are specialized in criminal justice and police issues. The focus is on how they regard the various factors (economic, editorial, news cycle) influencing their work, and how they perceive and respond to the needs and expectations of their target groups. It seems that despite their in-depth knowledge of criminal justice, these journalists share representations of these topics that are close to common sense. Moreover, their individual representations of crime and justice, which are quite similar to their sources’ opinions (mostly judges, police officers, lawyers), seem to influence the selection and framing of the news only indirectly – they are focused more on satisfying what they perceive as demands from their audience. In addition, the process of digitalization of traditional media shows the permanent and growing weight of commercial logics within media companies. As a result, the media can be considered one of the producers of social representations of punitiveness and crime in society, although there is no intentional criminal policy agenda.
