True Crime Genre: Where is the Line Drawn When It Comes to Consent and Confidentiality?

Abstract

The growing popularity of the true crime genre across books, podcasts, and other media has prompted important ethical questions regarding the representation of real people and events are portrayed. Although true crime narratives frequently rely on publicly available information, their publication can have lasting impacts on victims, families, and communities involved in the crimes. This paper addresses and examines the ethical tensions between storytelling and protecting consent, privacy, and confidentiality in true crime publishing. Drawing on existing research in media and publishing ethics, along with interviews with true crime authors, the study investigates how writers handle research methods, representation, and the use of sensitive information. The results highlight inconsistencies in ethical standards within the genre and reveal a lack of clear industry standards guiding these practices. This paper advocates for stronger ethical frameworks in true crime publishing that respect individuals while promoting responsible and transparent storytelling.