NCJ Number
108553
Editor(s)
P A Kelly
Date Published
1987
Length
289 pages
Annotation
This anthology explores the complex and changing relationships between police and the media from the perspectives of both the police and the press.
Abstract
Contributors examine the working worlds and related constraints and influences on the journalist and the police officer, discuss the issues that divide them and may contribute to an adversarial relationship, offer tentative solutions, and consider ethical issues and rules and regulations. Police-media interactions and potential conflict in coverage of police corruption or abuse of authority, criminal investigations, sensational crimes, and emergency scenes are described. Differences between police and media perspectives focus on such topics as information dissemination, victims' and defendants' rights, the free press/fair trial debate, the individual's right to privacy versus the public's right to know, and professional credibility. The Delaware State Police media relations and public information policy is described, and the police information officer's role is delineated. Guidelines also are offered for improving police-media relations. Chapter notes and appendixes.