This study explores the intricate relationship between media perception and societal impact in the context of White-Collar Crimes (WCCs) and Traditional Crimes (TCs) across selected Indian states. Despite growing academic interest in media narratives and their role in shaping public opinion, limited research has quantified this interplay systematically. The study bridges this gap by employing a 40-item Likert-type Perception Measurement Scale, designed and validated for Indian media professionals and standardised questionnaires were administered on defined samples to generate societal impact scores. Data were collected from 980 media professionals across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Delhi, ensuring regional diversity and inclusivity; and data from 500 general public, 50 Law Enforcement Officers, 30 experts, 30 political leaders, 30 social activists, 30 victims and 30 offenders were collected to get a cumulative score for societal impact of media and media perceptions on WCCs and TCs.Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between media perception and societal impact (r = 0.74, p < 0.01), emphasizing the media's pivotal role in influencing public understanding and reactions to crime. Multiple regression analysis further identified that factors such as media framing (β = 0.32, p < 0.001), ethical responsibilities in reporting (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), and frequency of fact-checking (β = 0.25, p < 0.01) were strong predictors of societal impact scores, explaining 64% of the variance (R² = 0.64). Key findings highlight regional disparities: northern states exhibited a greater bias in crime reporting, while southern states demonstrated stronger adherence to ethical journalism. White- Collar Crimes were found to be underrepresented, while Traditional Crimes were often sensationalized, shaping public perceptions differently. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions, such as enhanced training on ethical reporting and strategies to address regional biases, to foster balanced crime narratives. This research not only contributes a validated scale for studying media perception but also provides actionable insights for policymakers, media organizations, and researchers. By systematically quantifying the media-society nexus, the study lays the groundwork for future investigations into the socio-cultural dynamics of crime reporting in India.
Keywords: Media Perception, Societal Impact, White-Collar Crimes (WCCs), Traditional Crimes (TCs), Crime Reporting, Ethical Journalism, and Media Bias