The relationship between televised partisan crime news media consumption and perceptions of police: an empirical assessment

Purpose Americans routinely use televised news as a primary source of information for crime and criminal justice. Unfortunately, research demonstrates that popular American news stations share stories with a partisan lean. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between televised partisan crime news media consumption and perceptions of police. Design/methodology/approach Using data from a national sample of Americans, we explore the effects of consumption of televised partisan crime news media on perceptions of police, controlling for other relevant correlates of perceptions of police, including race, political affiliation and direct contact with law enforcement. Findings Findings reveal that the partisan lean of televised news media consumed is related to perceptions of police independent of other known correlates, but the effects of such media vary by outcome measure considered. Contact with officers that is perceived as unprofessional was associated with less positive perceptions of police. Research limitations/implications While efforts were made to ensure representation of adults living in the U.S. at the time of data collection, non-probability sampling was used, and data are cross-sectional in nature. Results indirectly provide support for cultivation theory by showing that the type(s) of news programming consumed may shape opinions of police. As such, consumers should seek information on crime and criminal justice from multiple sources and those that are more politically neutral. Police departments can help improve perceptions by promoting interventions aimed at enhancing professional contact with crime suspects and victims. Originality/value This study provides one of the first empirical assessments of the simultaneous effects of televised news media consumption, direct contact with law enforcement and socio-demographic variables on shaping perceptions of police. By incorporating more predictor variables than prior research in this area, we also include additional outcome measures, including perceptions of police legitimacy, effectiveness, procedural justice and systemic racism.