Media Investigations (From Criminal and Civil Investigation Handbook, P 4-101 to 4-110, 1981, Joseph J Grau and Ben Jacobson, ed. - See NCJ-84274)

• NCJ Number: 84298
• Author(s): B O'Brien; S Pinsley
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 10 pages
• Sale Source: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The nature of and illustrations of investigations by the media are discussed.

Abstract

Police investigations are frequently limited to or begin with specific criminal activities. The media is more frequently involved in generalized social injustices and the explication of grand-scale moral and political disorder where at first there may have been no prima facie case of criminal misconduct. From the generalized indictments of the media, specific criminal charges can be and frequently are developed by law enforcement agencies. Reporters cannot use subpoena powers and cannot gain official access to private records, but investigative journalists do have the advantage of special access to sources denied police, because individuals fear involvement in the courts or in the processes of legal investigation. Further, reporters have the advantage of being able to present a partial and even inconclusive brief if they feel it is a useful tool for enlightening the public. Reporters may also work with law enforcement officials, to whom they may entrust confidences in return for critical technical assistance. Illustrations are provided of how certain media investigations contributed to the more effective use of law enforcement and a countering of threats to social order. (Author summary modified)