'Media and crime: a comparative analysis of crime news in the UK, Norway and Italy'

This chapter offers a brief history of the media in the UK, Norway and Italy and explores crime’s ‘newsworthiness’ in each country. Using Jewkes’ (2011) analysis of twelve cardinal news values that underpin reporting of crime, victimization and justice – itself developed from a classic Norwegian study – we discuss the different news values adhered to by media professionals in each local context. We also discuss a single case that shocked the world: the killing of 77 people in Norway on 22nd July 2011 by Anders Behring Breivik. Reporting of Breivik’s offences and his subsequent trial illustrate some of the subtle discrepancies underpinning crime news reporting, which themselves reflect broader social, cultural and political differences between the UK, Norway and Italy.