Lever Time The Crime Crackdown Cop Out (With Alec Karakatsanis)
Sep 25, 2025
Alec Karakatsanis, a civil rights lawyer and author of 'Copaganda', dives into the myths surrounding crime in America. He challenges President Trump's fearmongering about violent crime by contrasting it with declining FBI data. Karakatsanis explores how media amplifies public fears, particularly targeting marginalized communities. He discusses the dangerous effects of 'broken windows' policing and the PR tactics behind crime coverage, urging for reforms to shift away from oppressive policies and build a more equitable public safety framework.
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News Volume Creates False Waves
- High volume of curated crime stories makes people feel crime is rising despite falling rates.
- Karakatsanis shows viral clips and repeated coverage can manufacture moral panics like shoplifting scares.
Walgreens Shoplifting Viral Spiral
- A single viral Walgreens shoplifting clip spawned 309 news stories while wage-theft allegations got no coverage.
- Karakatsanis uses this to show selective anecdotes can create long-lasting moral panics.
Local News Hollowing Fuels Copaganda
- Local news decline and staffing cuts push outlets to rely on police-produced content.
- Karakatsanis notes hollowed newsrooms accept ready-made police segments rather than investigative reporting.
