The Ethics of True Crime

Aeshaan Singhal

April 17, 2026

True crime is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the modern media landscape, captivating millions. Podcasts, documentaries, TV shows, books, often attract hoards of viewers, excited to learn about cases. The ethics of true crime balances on public interest, education and the exploitation of tradition. 

One extremely ethical part of true crime is the ability to inform the public about horrific crimes. True crime raises awareness for domestic violence, corruption, wrongful corruptions, and failures in the justice system. By examining real life cases, audiences learn how investigations work and how communities can better protect vulnerable people. In some instances, this kind of exposure can even lead to the solving of cold cases, and unsolved mysteries, bringing justice to victims. True crime can serve as a means of education and accountability, which is always a plus. 

However, true crime often crosses ethical lines, when it prioritizes the enjoyment of the viewer, and entertainment value over the humanity of cases. Productions often rely on overdramatization, shocking details, intense music, and cliffhangers to keep their audience engaged. This turns tragic cases into public spectacles, forcing victims and families to relive their traumatic experiences every single time another form of their case is put out online, with no say in how their loved one is portrayed. This is all while producers and hosts stand to profit. This raises the question of whether tragedy should ever be used as a form of entertainment. 

Then, there is the issue of the glamorization of criminals. Some true crime media spend time focusing on the personality, motives, and lives of the criminal and perpetrator, who often are extremely horrible human beings, rather than honoring and remembering the lives of the victim. As a result, the perpetrator gains celebrity status, with their names widely recognized, as an example, Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer. This imbalance can often distort the memory of the public and reward harmful behavior with attention, and at times, positive reactions. 

There are solutions, however, one of which being raising standards for podcasts and other forms of media. Creators must prioritize a few key things, specifically, humanity, accuracy and respectfulness. Victims must be remembered to the fullest extent and not be seen as just plot devices. Audiences also have a real responsibility to consider the media that they consume, and support positive content. 

All in all, the ethics of true crime depend on intent and execution. True crime can provide value when done correctly, but just be entertainment when done poorly.