Abstracts of Papers
Richard Martin:
Fictional Representations of the American Criminal Justice System
This study examines mass-mediated fictional representations of the American criminal justice system. Through an analysis of several popular television programs, including Law & Order and 24, I hope to make clear the relationship between these programs and the political discourse concerning law and justice concomitant with their production. Especially of interest will be the portrayal of issues concerning civil liberties, both pre- and post-September 11. How do these programs, through the act of representing a fictional account, serve to valorize certain positions? Do programs present the issues as complex and nuanced, offering a point-of-departure for thought and discussion, or are the portrayals hegemonic and ideologically charged, presenting a totalizing view? Does the proliferation of these easily-accessible programs play a role in the general populace's understanding of the justice system they represent? Is the citizenry in a position to evaluate critically these depictions? Topics such as free speech, censorship, propaganda and the culture industry, democracy, and the application of academics to the political arena will be discussed.
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