Mainstream media coverage of crime pushes right-wing narratives that blame Democrats, but crime is worse in GOP-controlled areas

Crime is rising in rural areas, cities, and states run by Republicans despite GOP claims that progressive policies are to blame

Mainstream media outlets are bombarding prospective voters with coverage about crime, playing into election narratives from conservatives and Republicans that blame both individual incidents and broad nationwide trends on Democrats. But this news coverage often fails to debunk these disproved GOP narratives or note that violent crime has also risen in GOP-run areas.

Some notable recent mainstream media failures in pre-midterm reporting include giving a free pass to Georgia U.S. Senate nominee Herschel Walker’s lack...