Wrongful conviction, pop culture, and achieving justice in the digital age | Culture and communication in digital worlds

Author(s): Greg Stratton

Year of publication: 2019

Keywords: True crime, Participatory practices, Wrongful conviction, Miscarriages of justice, Audience engagement, Popular culture, Media convergence, Social media activism

Methodology/Sample: Case study/One podcast, one TV show

Reference: Stratton, G. (2019). Wrongful conviction, pop culture, and achieving justice in the digital age. In D. Akrivos, A.K. Antoniou (Eds.), Crime, deviance and popular culture (pp. 177-201). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04912-6_8

Abstract

The pop culture success of Serial (podcast) and Making a Murderer (Netflix) have exposed a significant, receptive audience to the true crime genre of entertainment. The producers of these series embraced the transformative effective of digital technologies that have shifted the media landscape by altering audience’s consumption and engagement with content. Digital technologies have also created the opportunities for these audiences to commit to online ‘participatory practices’ supporting the claims of wrongful convictions via social media. This chapter explores how digital media converge with narratives of wrongful conviction to develop public perceptions of miscarriages of justice. By focusing on the relationships between content, audience, and perceptions of justice, a clearer understanding of how notions of justice can be discussed in contemporary popular culture is explored.

> Summary

The paper discusses the impact of digital technologies on true crime media and audience engagement.
It highlights the limitations of fan activities in achieving justice for wrongful convictions.
The series “Serial” and “Making a Murderer” reshape narratives around wrongful convictions and public discourse.
Audiences are empowered to participate actively in content creation and discussions through digital platforms.
The paper critiques the media’s focus on entertainment over accurate representation of societal issues.

> Problem statement

The media often prioritizes sensationalism over accurate representation, leading to bias in true crime narratives.
Miscarriages of justice are highlighted as ‘signal crimes’ reflecting societal issues.
Fan activities surrounding true crime series have not effectively resolved the injustices depicted.
Audiences may engage with narratives without understanding the ethical implications of their actions.
The distinction between fandom and real-world justice advocacy complicates the pursuit of justice.
The transient nature of public interest in these cases suggests a disconnect from meaningful justice efforts.

> Methods used

The paper employs textual analysis to investigate audience responses and interpretations in public discourse regarding wrongful convictions
It examines the participatory practices of online communities through social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit.
The research analyzes the impact of digital technologies on audience engagement with narratives of wrongful conviction.
It explores fan-production and websleuthing as methods of community engagement and investigation into wrongful convictions.
The study highlights the role of digital platforms in facilitating deeper analysis and discussion of wrongful conviction cases.

> Practical implications

Digital technologies empower audiences to engage actively with media, transforming traditional consumption into participatory experiences.
Fan-generated content can extend the cultural relevance of media products, potentially influencing justice outcomes.
The success of true crime series highlights the need for critical engagement with narratives of wrongful conviction.
Online communities facilitate dialogue between audiences and producers, enhancing the exploration of justice issues.
The paper emphasizes the importance of understanding fan activities and their impact on societal perceptions of justice.