THE INTERACTION BETWEEN MEDIA AND CRIMINAL POLICY IN MASS DEMOCRACIES

Abstract

Against explanations that interpret that no penal policy is dominated by the power of public opinion, it is proposed a multi-causal explanation of the role played by the media in penal debates. The different factors that determine their level of influence are examined. And it is concluded that, in the short term, the media only influence political decisions in criminal matters when they establish alliances with certain lobbies. This situation is neither frequent nor stable. However, even when such situations do not occur, the media continues to have an important role, when delimiting the scope of what seems to be possible to say or to defend, as an argument or as a proposal. It is concluded, therefore, that it is necessary to pay attention to the problems of access to media, journalistic ethics and training, and the communication strategy for anti-punitivist movement