Mass Media and the Police (From Crime, Justice and the Mass Media, P 7-24, 1982, Colin Summer, ed. - See NCJ-87969)

• NCJ Number: 87971
• Author(s): J Alderson
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: University of Cambridge
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Police should understand the influence of newspapers, radio, television, and other mass media on their work. They can use the media to convey their point of view.

Abstract

They should increase their own input into the media in order to balance the media's strength with their own output, as well as to offset the damage done by coverage of dramatic and often unsettling events. Police need professional advisers who understand the media and who can train police in the characteristics of the various media and in handling interviews. Attention to and cooperation with the media is well worthwhile. The media are the best vehicle to convey the police view of problems and issues; therefore, police should take an assertive role in presenting their own viewpoints ahead of the reporter's demand. The article presents some guidelines in disclosing information to the media and raises other police-media relations issues. No references are cited.