Federal Bureau of Investigation portrayal in media

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been a staple of American popular culture since its christening in 1935.

Although the detective novel and other police-related entertainment had long enthralled audiences, the FBI itself can take some of the credit for its media prominence.

J. Edgar Hoover, the Bureau's "patriarch", took an active interest to ensure that it was not only well represented in the media, but also that the FBI was depicted in a heroic, positive light and that the message, "crime doesn't pay", was blatantly conveyed to audiences.

[1] Any author, motion picture producer, or television script writer may consult with the FBI Office of Public Affairs about closed cases or their operations, services, or history.

The Office of Public Affairs may, on a project-by-project basis, provide assistance to help ensure accuracy.