CRIME RATES are low in America by historical standards, but television viewers could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Of the 34 dramas that aired at prime time on the four big broadcast networks last autumn, 21 revolved around crime. On CBS the figure was 11 out of 14. Cops and robbers are essential and everywhere in the small screen's alternative reality. And on reality television. For 31 years viewers tuned in to "Cops" to see officers busting drug-dealers, reckless drivers and prostitutes. But no longer. Before its new season began, Paramount Network and its owner, ViacomCBS, axed the show amid spiralling protests over police brutality. The conceit of "Cops" was simple: follow officers and film their encounters. But critics said it got access in exchange for favourable coverage of police. Many of those arrested may have been too high or confused to consent to appearing. The show exaggerated the role of drugs, which accounted for 35% of arrests, three times the true rate. Compared with real-life arrest data, black and Latino men were over-represented.
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