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The Role of Digital Media in Shaping Police-Community Relations

Kroef, A.E. van der (2024) The Role of Digital Media in Shaping Police-Community Relations.

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Abstract:The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of digital media showcasing police misconduct on perceptions of police legitimacy among Dutch students, with the leading question being “To what extent does digital media impact the perceptions of police legitimacy among Dutch students?” Drawing on Tyler’s police legitimacy theory and Gerbner’s cultivation theory, this research employs a pretest-posttest experimental design along with in-depth interviews. The sample contained eight participants, who engaged in interviews before and after watching the documentary ‘de Blauwe Familie’, which is about institutional racism within the police. Qualitative and quantitative data on perceptions of procedural fairness, sense of moral obligation, trust and confidence in the police, and respect for police authority were collected and analysed. The results indicate a slight decrease in participants’ perception of procedural fairness after exposure to the documentary. However, there is not enough statistical evidence to support a relationship between documentary exposure and police legitimacy perceptions. The subjective data gathered from in-depth interviews provided deeper insights into participants’ perceptions of police legitimacy. The findings highlight a complex interplay between media exposure and public perceptions of law enforcement and the need for further research on the topic.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:88 social and public administration
Programme:Management Society and Technology BSc (56654)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/101672
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