Crime in Media Essay Example

as they do not fit the legal definition of criminalized activities. The events concerning the Ok Tedi River serve as an example. BHP, an extensive oil company, aimed to construct a mine around the Ok Tedi River and created legislation to make such actions lawful.

Despite the government of Papua New Guinea supporting BHP's desire to mine in a location with significant environmental impact and negative effects on residents, they granted BHP permission by passing the legislation prepared by them. Moreover, comparing crime frequency across different jurisdictions becomes difficult due to variations in legal definitions of criminal activities.

Engaging in premarital sex is not considered a crime in Australia, unlike certain countries. This legal inconsistency poses challenges for Australian criminologists as it impedes their ability to compare crime rates across states or internationally. Additionally, these differing definitions may result in an excessive criminalization of certain actions that could be better addressed through alternative disciplinary measures.

The act of criminalizing cyber bullying is seen as equating the violation of an avatar to a real-life rape. Although this may cause shock or harm to the individual controlling the avatar, it pushes the boundaries of what defines a "crime". This poses difficulties for Australian criminologists who study crime rates. Nevertheless, the legal definition of crime remains significant in Australian criminology as it clearly establishes which actions are classified as crimes and which are not.

The state has a list of acts that are considered crimes. Criminologists can study these crimes to propose ways to decrease rates for specific crimes and create new policies for the Australian government to implement. According to the Macquarie dictionary,

crime is defined as an act that harms public welfare through either doing something or failing to fulfill a duty. Punishment, which is usually given in legal proceedings carried out on behalf of the state, is determined by law and viewed as a serious wrongdoing or sin. This definition raises many questions.

The definition of a crime is not solely based on whether it can be punished by law. Many acts that are seen as criminal may not actually be illegal, and the opposite is also true. As society progresses, it becomes more difficult to differentiate between what qualifies as a crime and what is simply a non-criminal wrongdoing. A specific example is the belief held by some people that using marijuana should be considered a crime and have legal consequences.

Criminologists in Australia face challenges in comparing crime rates due to the differing classifications of marijuana use as a crime or non-criminal offense across jurisdictions. The government is tasked with determining how to approach this issue, whether it should be considered a crime or not. Nevertheless, the dictionary definition of crime proves helpful in Australian criminology as it encompasses morally wrong acts and broadens the concept of criminal behavior.

Criminologists can examine the rates and impacts of actions that may need to be considered as crimes. They can present their findings to the government when providing advice on new laws and future legislation (AIC, 2009). The declaration of human rights was signed by 26 nations on January 1, 1942. This pledge united their governments in the fight against the Axis Powers during World War II (United Nations, 2013).

Since its

founding, the United Nations (UN) has expanded its membership to include 192 countries. The UN's primary objective is to address human rights concerns and establish agreements that nations are urged to endorse in order to promote human rights and reduce violations. Violations encompass any acts that contravene the principles of human rights. In 1983, Richard Harding appealed for criminologists to collaborate in efforts aimed at "minimizing the risk of global annihilation and planetary devastation."

The human rights definition of crime goes beyond the legal definition by including different types of crimes. Nevertheless, it essentially replaces one set of definitions with another and may not necessarily be more fair or consistent. This definition allows criminologists to study a wide range of crimes, including civil and administrative matters, as well as economic activities like tax evasion, price fixing, loan sharking, and government corruption.