The Role of Police Media Platforms to Crime Prevention in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

In the modern information society, people should have as much information as possible on public institutions to ensure that democratic values are upheld. In this connection, the provision of information on the activities of police forces and the Public Prosecutor in the fight against crime could be essential. The main objective of this study is to examine the role of police media (Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation’s Television and Addis Lisan FM 96.3 Radio ‘Addis Police programs’) to crime prevention. The study was developed in terms of qualitative inquiry with a descriptive purpose. This qualitative study used unstructured interview questions to guide data collection. Before proceeding to the collection of data from residents, interview was conducted with media and communications affairs office of Addis Ababa police commission and Mennen area police crime prevention, security and law enforcement directorate. The interview was freely structured conversations. Additional point of interview with residents was made to grasp the relationship between ‘Addis police program’ consumption and crime prevention as well as to examine the public’s construction of crime, criminals, punishment and justice. To protect the confidentiality of participants Pseudonyms are used. The results of interview have been analyzed qualitatively and presentation of data is made according to their alignment with the research objectives. Verbatim presentation of data is made where it is found appropriate and presentation of the themes central to the interviews is made in a form of summary. As a major outcome of the study: There have been a contradictory ideas on the degree to which media coverage of crime-related events influences public opinion which suggest that the media exerts both negative and positive influences on public opinion of crime and crime prevention. the role of the existing police media as main providers of information about crime and crime investigations must be seen in the onset and evolution of crime prevention strategies, and in shaping public perceptions about crime and its response. However, it is important to note that the impact or “effects” of the existing police media on the development of feelings of injustice, and politicization remains difficult to accurately assess. Keywords: Police media, Media consumption, Crime, Crime prevention DOI : 10.7176/NMMC/83-04 Publication date :September 30 th 2019