The influence of mass media on the evaluation of effectiveness of police activity (based on the results of sociological research)

In the given article the problem of mass media influence on the public opinion formation about police activity is considered. The authors draw attention to the fact that the level of mass media confidence has declined lately. At present people began to reflect upon official mass media information. A significant change in the preferences of the population of Volgograd about information sources is marked. The comparative analysis of the sociological research conducted by the authors of the article points that people have come to prefer the Internet, social networks to television. The representation of the citizens about the police activity is inextricably linked to the issues of their personal safety. The authors assert that mass media are said to be one of the main factors that help the citizens form assessment of the police activity effectiveness to ensure their personal safety. During the analysis of the empirical data some correlation between the sense of the personal security of the respondents and the sources of the information about the police activity has been observed. The respondents receiving the information about law enforcement activity from mass media mainly feel a higher level of security than those who make judgments based on their personal experience. In conclusion the authors emphasize the positive dynamics in the public assessment of the police activity to ensure the personal security of the citizens that depends not only on improving the police activity in general, but also on the information provided to the citizens and, anyway, generates certain attitudes and stereotypes.