The Impact of Crime Image in Newspaper

Photographic image has trigged a huge phenomenon in all aspects of human life. Not only magazines, newspapers, billboards, the internet, even building are draped with photographic images. Recognizing the importance of images to the community, a study was carried out to identify the functions of the crime image displayed in newspaper. In general, crime images are often displayed in the newspaper and it becomes an obligation to be showcased to the public. This function of this image is to provide a visual representation of the actual design to the community to be used as well as to be enlightened. However, the function of crime image portrayal in the press is questionable. This is on whether it is capable of delivering positive impacts or otherwise to newspaper readers, thus, this is the main objective to be achieved through this study. Three major newspapers were selected of Malay-language newspaper Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia and Harian Metro and violent crime pictures taken are effective from the year 2007-2010.