Bachelet and public perception of danger: We can’t just blame TV, we have to take action

SANTIAGO.- Despite celebrating an 8% drop over the last four years in the number of homes victimized by crime, President Michelle Bachelet stated that the current challenge facing the country is to reduce the high level of insecurity felt among citizens, indicated by the same poll. 

“The figures have made us reasonably optimistic because, though they convey good news, there is still a lot of work to do (…)  The sense of fear amongst the population is something that should motivate us to take action”, the President said while participating in the first meeting of the American Police Community.

In the leader’s opinion, “there is a difference between what happens and what is perceived, and rather than blaming the television (…) what is important is to take responsibility for that perception as well, although the television may also be able to help us with this task”. 

These were the words used by the President to counter the claim made by the government spokesperson, Francisco Vidal, who attributed the 8.2 percentage point increase in feelings of insecurity to the media coverage of crime.