The True Crime Genre
The true crime genre has seen a rise in recent years via many shows, podcasts, and the like. It is undeniable that true crime as a genre has a rich history; in fact, it has always been rather controversial. To many, the very existence of the genre that recycles crimes into entertainment is offensive. Moreover, a specific term, “crimesploitation”, has been coined to refer to TV programs that rely on shock value to draw in viewers (LaChance and Kaplan 7). Others argue that crime coverage helps bring society’s attention to the cases and, ultimately, is for the victims’ own good. One of its most famous contributors to the genre is John Walsh, mainly known for his TV show America’s Most Wanted and documentary series The Hunt with John Walsh. This essay will attempt to argue that John Walsh’s efforts in true crime are inherently rooted in empathy to the victims and therefore are beneficial to society.
The Case of Adam Walsh
To further explore this issue, it is necessary to understand John Walsh’s history with true crime. It is well known that his career had a rather tragic start; John Walsh’s own son Adam was abducted on the 27th of July, 1981 (Morgan 12). Adam’s severed head was found later, while the body remains unrecovered to this day. While the person associated with the murder was found, it took more than two years for justice to prevail. It is said that this great tragedy has spurred Walsh into action, as he realized there were no real systems in place to assist with the cases of children going missing. Walsh’s activism has led to changes in legislation, such as the implementation of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act in 2006 (Morgan 12). Walsh continued to become a famous TV personality, dedicated to shedding light on important cases and raising awareness.
Works Cited
LaChance, Daniel, and Paul Kaplan. Crimesploitation: Crime, Punishment, and Pleasure on Reality Television. Stanford University Press, 2022.
Padgett, John. “Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006.” The SAGE Encyclopedia of Criminal Psychology, edited by Robert Morgan, SAGE Publications, 2019, pp. 10–13.