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Media Management in Criminal Investigation

This document provides guidance on media management for criminal investigations. It defines key terms and outlines objectives for understanding how to properly handle media while maintaining the integrity of investigations. Topics covered include the role of media; proper decorum for interacting with reporters; guidelines for press releases, crisis response and sharing information; and how media can aid investigations while protecting privacy and legal processes.

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206 views

Media Management in Criminal Investigation

This document provides guidance on media management for criminal investigations. It defines key terms and outlines objectives for understanding how to properly handle media while maintaining the integrity of investigations. Topics covered include the role of media; proper decorum for interacting with reporters; guidelines for press releases, crisis response and sharing information; and how media can aid investigations while protecting privacy and legal processes.

Uploaded by

Viewer Delta coy
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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MEDIA MANAGEMENT IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

INTRODUCTION

It is the responsibility of any unit Head/Chief to respond to queries raised by the press, decide on
what stories or press releases would be given out to the media with utmost observance of the policy of
rational transparency in all police activities, and upholding the right of the people to be informed on
matters of public interest.

LEARNING GOAL

This lesson aims to provide participants with session understanding on how to properly handle
and manage media personnel during investigation and be cognizant of the importance of establishing
rapport with the media without compromising the process of investigation.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the session participants will be able to:


1. Define Public Information and other related terms.
2. Identify the types of media and its role.
3. Know the proper decorum in dealing with the media.
4. Be aware of the Media Policy/Guidelines.
5. Be able to write press releases and calls.
6. Be able to handle the media.
7. Be able to utilize media in investigation.

Definition of Terms:

 Public Information – Information that may be of interest to the general public.


 News Media Representative – An individual employed by agencies of the electronics or print
media.
 Accredited – A media representative duly recognized by the PNP.
 News – It is the reporting of current events by the mass media.
 Press Release – It is the official statement issued by the PNP to the media.
 Public Information Officer (PIO) – The official authority who serves as a central source of
information for release by the PNP and respond to requests for information by the news media
and the community.
 Spokesperson – The officially designated authority who acts as the mouthpiece of the PNP.
 Limit of Disclosure – applies only to limits set by legal requirements (i.e. the rights of the
accused and status of Police Operation).
 Crisis – A crucial or decisive point or situation in the course of anything.
 Criminal Intelligence Information – Refers to any information with respect to an identifiable
person or group of persons collected by a police unit/department as part of the PNP effort to
anticipate, prevent, or monitor the occurrence of a possible major criminal activity, most specially
terrorist acts.

TYPES OF MEDIA

 Print media - newspapers, magazines


 Electronic media - television, radio, internet

BASIC QUALITIES OF REPORTER


 Skeptic
 Arrogant
 Strained
 Competitive

ROLE OF THE MEDIA


 Inform the public
 Public service
 Educate
 Entertain
 Make money
Proper Decorum in Dealing with the Media
 Never, ever lie
 Don’t speculate
 Don’t argue
 Talk only about what you know
 “no comment” doesn’t work
 Be yourself
 Don’t get angry
 Wear proper uniform during live interviews
 Listen, pause, think, then answer
 Each statement stands alone
 Look at the reporter, not the camera
 If you choke, start again.

Media Relation in Times of Crisis Situation

 Procedures to be Observed:
 Maintain control.
 Be sincere.
 Set up an area for the media.
 Issue a prepared statement.
 Set the “rules” of the coverage.
 Advise the media that you will give them updates on the situation.
 Advise media prior to firing gas.
 Advise media personnel to watch their lights.
 If damage has to be estimated for release, confine statement to general description of what was
destroyed.
 Eliminate obstacles wherever possible.
 Have needed records available for you reference if possible.
 Don’t play favorites.
 Keep cool.
 Always accentuate the positive.
 Never fail to acknowledge the cooperation of the media.
 Never officially judge especially in front of the media, the mental condition of the suspect.
 Any tactical moves you are planning to take should be confidential.
 The identity of the suspects or the hostages(in a hostage negotiation) should be confidential
information.

Media Policy Guidelines (Do’s and Don’ts)

 Conduct of immediate press conference after a major incident.


 Media Access to Police Blotter
 Adherence to non-presentation of suspects in “Firing Line”
 No access of Media to crisis/conflict area.
 No live coverage of actual conflict situation.

Composition of Crisis Management Action Group


Press Release & Calls

The ABC’s in News writing


A - Accuracy
B - Brevity
C - Clarity

News release should answer the following ?

 WHO? (identifies the person or persons involved in the event)


 WHAT? (tells what happen)
 WHY? (the reason for its happening)
 WHEN? (what day and time the event happened)
 WHERE? (the place where the event occurred)
 HOW? (the process and means that made the event possible)

NEWS MAKING EVENTS:

 Major accomplishments
 New campaign, major operation
 Crime incidents
 Reorganization, new leaders
 Ceremonies

Example of PRESS RELEASE

Man Left By Wife Hangs Himself

A man took his own life by hanging himself inside his room in Pasay, City. The man was
identified as Ryan Bernabe, 27 years old, Filipino, married, Jobless and a resident of Leveriza street,
Pasay, City.
According to the result of investigation conducted by Pasay City Police Station, in the
early morning of October 31, 2010, Bernabe’s mother Yolanda discovered his body hanging inside
his room with a cable wire looped around his neck.
Bernabe’s mother said his son was depressed because his wife left him.
Yolanda did not request for an autopsy as she believed that it was suicide.
Aside from the mark on the neck that the suicide sustained from hanging, no other external injuries were
found on the victim’s body.
The suicide’s cadaver was brought to the Paradise Funeral Homes.

Handling the Media (in Criminal Matters)


 PNP personnel shall extend every reasonable courtesy to the news media representatives at
crime scenes.
 The officer in charge shall designate a preliminary press area.
 Only factual information describing how the incident happened may be released to the media.
 Suspect or accused persons in custody shall not be posed or exposed for photographs, telecast
or interviews not departmental personnel pose with suspects or accused persons in custody.

Handling the Media in SOCO Matters


 The news media shall not be allowed access to any area or scene of an incident or crime.
 When SOCO have finished processing the crime scene and have secured all pieces of evidence,
members of the news media may be allowed to enter the area.
 Recovered/collected items/evidence may be presented to the news media only after the same
had been processed.
 On private property, photography, film or videotape recording must require the permission of the
owner or the owner’s representative.

Handling the Media


 Information such as type and quantity of property taken during robbery incidents may be
released.
 Anything beyond should not be released to media as it may affect the result of the investigation.

Utilizing Media in Investigation


●Photographs or mug shots may be released to the media to help locate the individual.
SUMMARY
 This lesson discussed and tackled how investigators should manage the members of the media.
Aside from defining various media-related terms, the participants were likewise lectured on the
Types, Qualities and Role of media.
 Other topics discussed were: Proper decorum in dealing with the media, the Do’s and Don’ts that
must be observed, how to handle media in different situations, how to prepare a press release
and finally how members of the media can be utilized in crime solution.

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