The reporting of crime by the Maltese press : a reappraisal of Farrugia (2006)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to provide a reassessment of preceding research held by Kevin Farrugia in 2006 that investigates the way journalists in the Maltese Law Courts report crime. Focusing on the print news media, representatives from both daily and weekly newspaper agencies completed a questionnaire based on Chibnall’s (1977) professional crime news imperatives of immediacy, dramatization, personalization, simplification, titillation, conventionalism, structured access and novelty. This allowed the author to evaluate the way crime news stories were constructed by the journalists and establish whether any changes in this practice have taken place since the last study was carried out. This investigation mainly concludes that the press in Malta has barely altered its practice of reporting crime news to the reading public. While journalists were making use of already established principles from abroad they also preferred to report scandalous or shocking crime news. Moreover, this dissertation indicates that the police body still remains cautious in releasing information to the news media. This study suggests that there is a need for additional training to be given to court reporters. Further, specific Codes of Ethics should be published for court and crime reporters to follow so as to ensure higher standards of reporting in Malta.