| YOUTH INVOLVEMENT IN CRIME
5.1 Objective and Scope
The objective of this research is to identify the key issues in media reporting on youth involvement in crime and violence – as both perpetrators and victims - for the period July 2021-June 2023 in Barbados, Grenada and St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Practical, implementable recommendations will be made for media houses to improve their coverage. The following areas will be examined: - Environmental factors which affect reporting - Representativeness of reportage vs national crime statistics - Are stories fair and balanced? - Is there appropriate regard for how stories are reported being mindful of human rights? - Public impact Limitations: 1. Limited data as there is a lack of media monitoring in two of the countries – Grenada and St. Vincent & The Grenadines. Physical searches of records at media entities had to be done for these two countries and none of the media houses kept records. 2. The data gathered did not and could not extensively capture the topic as broadcast on radio news or on radio talk shows. Because of its ubiquitous nature, currency, ease of access and oral traditions, radio is one of the most influential forms of media across the Caribbean. More examples of discussion and news reports about youth crime and violence in this medium could have produced valuable additional information. 13 3. National crime and violence statistics are either not readily available or there is apparent inefficiency or reluctance to release the data depending on the country being studied. 4. Comparisons will be made between crime statistics of charge and arrest against media stories to assess alignment. However, the statistics concerning crime and arrest are not necessarily a true reflection of the actual level of incidents and proportionality of incidents of crime. Based on interviews with members of the protection services, they felt there may be underreporting. 5.2 Analysis Legislative Environment Youth crime, and in particular, violent youth crime is becoming a growing concern in the Caribbean and indeed worldwide as any increase in youth crime is somewhat of a predictor of the level of future crime as the demographic ages and is replaced. When speaking of youth crime, it is important to define the age range
13 Radio remains one of the most trusted medium of communication, UNESCO February 2022
26 A Media Analysis of the Coverage of Youth Involvement in Crime and Violence and Trafficking in Persons (June 2021 to June 2023) in the Eastern Caribbean
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