Call me a masochist but i love violent films. The more gory and repulsive the better. From Wolf Creek to the infamous Saw series i enjoy the thrill and adrenaline of watching psychopathic murderers, unsuspecting victims and a twisted storyline.
But for me it's simply entertainment. But for others it can be more.
Does the media’s exposure of violent crime encourage and facilitate unlawful acts? Whilst it might simply be a case of entertainment and ratings, is this taken to the extent that it’s no longer ethical?
In addition to Hollywood films, mainstream crime series on television seem in a large way to condone unethical glorification of crime. Dexter, Bones, NCIS and CSI, are all examples of largely fictional crime investigations which are ruthless in their depiction of real-life crime. Established with viewership in sight, they maintain draw dropping story lines which make for entertainment success. However, are they merely harmless entertainment vehicles or are they more influential than they intend?
A 1994 box office hit “Natural Born Killers” won director Oliver stone an Academy award for his depiction of two victims of traumatised upbringings who find love in each other as psychopathic killers. In the film, they are irresponsibly glorified by the mass media and depicted as “legendary heroes.” However, there have been genuine concerns as to the various deaths or violent real-life crimes that have been linked directly or indirectly to the film.
'The power of suggestion' is how J. Ross, criminologist of Baltimore University explains it. He contends that explicitly violent and graphic plot lines can in a large way implant a seed of crime into those who view it by causing them to covet the fame the initial offender has attained. This view, however, is contested by Ray Surette, who acknowledges that although the media can be influential for the perpetrator, the person would have committed the crime regardless. Rather than media being deemed responsible for crime the more valid perspective would be that it acts as a “rudder” steering a person in favour to a particular idea.
Perhaps no one conclusion can be drawn.
In one large sense, we cannot blame the media for the rate and nature of crime in today’s society however we need to be mindful of where that line should be drawn. Wherever that line is to be one thing is for certain; the media should be careful not to glorify criminal acts lest they encourage copy cat crimes.
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So you haven't become a violent killer yet from watching all those violent shows? :)
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