Communication Research

The Effect of Media Exposure on Fear of Crime among Hormozgan Citizens

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Hassan Reza Yousefvand 1
Farahnaz Mostafavi Kahnegi 1
Seyyed Ebrahim Kookherdi 2

1 Assistant of Prof. In Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

2 Social Sciences, Faculty of Law and Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22082/cr.2025.2073044.2850
Abstract
This research aimed to examine the impact of media consumption on fear of crime among citizens of Hormozgan. Using a survey method and structural equation modeling, data were collected from 385 citizens aged over 15 in five cities: Bandar Abbas, Minab, Qeshm, Bandar Lengeh, and Jask. The research tool was a Likert-scale questionnaire measuring variables such as media consumption, trust in media, social control, perceived social disorganization, user participation, socio-economic status, and fear of crime. Findings revealed that media consumption (β=0.259), perceived social disorganization (β=0.325), and user participation (β=0.409) had a significant positive relationship with fear of crime, while social control (β=-0.234) and socio-economic status (β=-0.385) had a significant negative effect. Trust in media showed no significant moderating effect. Women and middle-aged people reported higher fear, while higher education was associated with lower fear. These results align with cultivation, media representation, moral panic, and indirect victimization theories. The study suggests that enhancing media literacy and strengthening social control can reduce fear of crime. Limitations include the lack of analysis of specific media content and reliance on a survey method. Future qualitative and longitudinal studies could provide deeper insights into this phenomenon.

Keywords

Fear of crime
Media Consumption
Social Media
Hormozgan
Psychological Security

  • Receive Date 29 September 2025
  • Revise Date 01 November 2025
  • Accept Date 15 November 2025

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