The Perception of the “Whiskey Robber” in the Public Opinion and the Media

Abstract

The media tends to present an even more negative image of criminals than is warranted: they portray them in a worse light than warranted, their negative qualities are typically highlighted, and there is little or no mention of their attenuating circumstances. In the light of the above, the story of the “Whiskey robber” is particularly interesting: a man accused of nearly fifty counts of armed robbery and other crimes was the hero of many people. A significant part of the people stood by Attila Ambrus even when he fled from the police; in fact, there were some who specifically supported him so that he would not be caught again after his escape in 1999. After his graduation, in addition to working as a ceramicist, he was also able to find a job in the media. In my presentation, I examine what caused this particular “Attila Ambrus phenomenon”. Was the moral judgment of the actions he committed less clear than in other cases? Or should the answer be sought in the character of the perpetrator? I am looking for answers to these questions.

Keywords

• attila ambrus
• “whiskey robber”
• public opinion
• media
• prevention