Lies, Damn Lies, and Crime Stories: The History, Impact, and Challenges of False Crime Narratives

Misinformation and disinformation in crime reporting have long shaped public perception, influencing everything from moral panics to legislative changes. While misinformation involves the unintentional spread of falsehoods, disinformation is the deliberate dissemination of deceptive content. Both have profound consequences for victims, offenders, law enforcement, and society as a whole.

This essay explores the history of misinformation and disinformation in crime reporting, tracing their origins from early print media to modern digital platforms. It examines their use in propaganda, their impact on policing and the justice system, and strategies for recognising, understanding, and challenging false crime narratives. By evaluating historical and contemporary examples, we aim to understand how these phenomena influence fear, control, social unrest, and public trust. Ultimately, combating misinformation and disinformation in crime reporting is crucial to reducing harm, improving policing strategies, and fostering a more informed society.