Relationships between the media and police, fractured in recent years, may be on the mend.
A response by The Society of Editors, the Crime Reporters Association and The Media Lawyers Association to an independent report on the operational handling of the tragic case of Nicola Bulley is calling for changes to make the police and media relationship more workable.
The original report, led by College of Policing, was commissioned by Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden.
Both reports can be read here https://www.college.police.uk/article/review-nicola-bulley-investigation-published for the College of Policing one
and here for the Society of Editors response
I can see both sides.
Working as an investigative journalist on high profile breaking news stories it was crucial to get official information and not rely on things gleaned from social media that couldn’t be checked properly.
The pressure is on and you want to get it right. But for probably lots of valid reasons you can’t get what you need from the police force responsible. Which can be mildly frustrating as an understatement. So you have to look elsewhere and rely on other sources.
I have also been on the side of communications for the Police and Crime Commissioner when many significant high profile news stories broke. Journalists comes to the politicians as they know they will usually comment. However it has to be minimum when an operational news story is breaking.
However, the danger of not commenting would mean a vacuum opening up.
You can’t prejudice or disrupt an inquiry that may have many elements and result in charges being brought. But I always knew what journalists were up against and would always help if I could within the confines of the role.
This response by The Society of Editors makes for interesting reading. Highlighting the danger of social media and how it takes off on its own which needs addressing by police, how not confirming vital details might lead to inaccurate reports, and not letting unaccredited journalists into press conferences are some of the points raised.
However, communications officers in police press offices have a difficult job. They are under pressure but do have restrictions on what they can do or say. Also the leadership comes from the top.
As the College of Policing report stated – Lancashire Constabulary should ensure that their M&E team has sufficient influence and representation in the decision-making process for the declaration of critical incidents, to provide a better understanding of the media interest and public confidence levels.
It might be they aren’t authorised to give any more details or be at the top table when decisions are made.
Knowing a round table took place this week between The Society of Editors, the Crime Reporters Association and the Media Lawyers Association and the National Police Chiefs Council feels like progress.
Working together while mindful of what the opportunities could be going forward feels like a real positive step. We police by consent in the UK and having a free press is crucial.
Making some doable changes or adapting approaches might just be what is needed to ensure the public are as informed as they can be, press officers don’t feel pressured or compromised and a media vacuum that could affect public confidence doesn’t open up inadvertently to be filled by conspiracy theorists or inaccurate information.
Journalists would feel comfortable they could report safe in the knowledge the information they have is from an official source and is as much as can be given to them at that time.
That would be progress, not perfection. There is no denying the fact it will not be easy. But as the College of Policing report stated ‘the relationship between the police and mainstream media needs to be rebuilt’.
For my perspective on how I can support your communications, political or otherwise, contact me at dee@dcowburncomms.co.uk or DM me.
