Management of media in crisis situation

MEDIA MANAGEMENT IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

The pnp media relations policyKnowing and understanding the media. Policies on media

relations. pnp-media protocol during crisis situation. Creating positive side of an incident/use of statistics

The procedures in releasing: Criminal and non-criminal mattersSoco/crime scene information

Intelligence and investigative matters

By PO3 Francisco B. Lindero, Jr.

Learning Goal• enhance understanding

how to properly handle media personnel during investigation and other police work

identification and location of suspects

releasing public information

limits of disclosure of information.

Learning Objectives

1. Define media-related terms2. Know the types, qualities and role of media3. Know the proper decorum in dealing with the media 4. Aware of the Media Policy/Guidelines 5. Know how to make press releases and calls6. Know how to handle the media7. How to utilize the media in investigation 8. How to handle media in times of crisis situation

HOW THE POLICE AND THE MEDIA VIEW EACH OTHER?

TRUE OR FALSE?

MEDIA ALWAYS GIVE THE POLICE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT THEIR SIDE IN EVERY STORY THAT MENTIONS THE PNP. POLICE ALWAYS GIVE THE

MEDIA ACCESS TO TIMELY AND ACCURATE INFORMATION IN EVERY STORY THAT CONCERNS THE PNP.

TRUE OR FALSE?

TRUTH IS ALWAYS MEDIA’S FIRST REQUIREMENT IN WRITING NEWS.

TRUTH IS THE PRIMORDIAL CONSIDERATION OF THE POLICE IN DISSEMINATING INFORMATION.

TRUE OR FALSE?

THE MEDIA DO NOT INTERFERE WITH POLICE INVESTIGATION AND ALWAYS WAIT UNTIL THE POLICE FINISH ITS INVESTIGATION. THE POLICE ARE ALWAYS

TRANSPARENT WHEN DEALING WITH THE MEDIA.

TRUE OR FALSE?

MEDIA ALWAYS OBSERVE FAIRNESS, GIVE EQUAL SPACE AND/OR TIME TO ALL SIDE SPECIALLY IN CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES. THE MEDIA’S PRESENCE

DURING POLICE INVESTIGATION IS TOTALLY AN INTERFERENCE TO POLICE WORK.

TRUE OR FALSE?

MEDIA DO NOT LET THEIR INDIVIDUAL BIASES GET INTO THEIR WORK.

THE POLICE ALWAYS OBSERVE COURTESY IN DEALING WITH THE MEDIA.

TRUE OR FALSE?

MEDIA ALWAYS EXTEND COVERAGE TO COMMUNITY POLICING AS MUCH AS TO CRIME FIGHTING.

POLICE DO NOT HAVE INDIVIDUAL BIASES AND FAVORITISM WHEN IT COMES TO RELEASING INFORMATION.

TRUE OR FALSE?

MEDIA GIVE LESS FOCUS ON THE NEGATIVE ASPECTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MORE ON ITS PROGRAM AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS. POLICE ALWAYS TOLERATE

MEDIA’S BIASES, EXCESSES OR IDIOSYNCRASIES.

TRUE OR FALSE?

WHENEVER MEDIA MAKE MISTAKES, THEY RECTIFY THEIR ERRORS IMMEDIATELY AND VOLUNTARILY. WHENEVER THE MEDIA MAKE

MISTAKES, THE POLICE DO NOT TAKE OFFENSE IF THE ERRORS WERE NOT RECTIFIED IMMEDIATELY.

TRUE OR FALSE?

TRADITIONALLY, POLICE AND MEDIA GET ALONG VERY WELL.

THE POLICE READILY ADMIT ITS MISTAKES TO THE MEDIA.

TRUE OR FALSE?

THE POLICE AND THE MEDIA NEED EACH OTHER TO BETTER SERVE PUBLIC INTEREST.

THE MEDIA AND THE POLICE SHARE A COMMON OBJECTIVE – TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.

HOW THE POLICE AND THE MEDIA THINK OF EACH OTHER?

PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT

POLICE THINK OF media…PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT

POLICE THINK OF media…PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT

…ignorant… intimidating… arrogant… inaccurate…

sensationalize… focus on bad news… oversimply… share anti-security interests… don’t do their homework…

don’t use common sense… invade people’s privacy…

intentionally hurt people… report events differently than

other eyewitnesses

MEDIA THINK OF THE POLICE…

MEDIA THINK OF THE POLICE…

…don’t trust the media… don’t permit much access… expect reporters to know how government operates… don’t know what news is… seem hostile to reporters and their

questions… speak in jargon… boring and dull…

too late in responding… do not return calls or text

messages…

KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING THE

MEDIA

MEDIA•(Mass media) : a medium of communication (as newspapers, radio, or television) that is designed to reach the mass of the people •(News Media Representative): An individual employed by agencies of the electronics or print media.

TYPES OF MEDIA•PRINT MEDIA (newspapers and magazines)•BROADCAST MEDIA (tv and radio)•ELECTRONIC MEDIA (internet)

BASIC QUALITIES OF REPORTERS•SKEPTIC (disbeliever, easily doubts)•ARROGANT (bigheaded, proud, overconfident)•STRAINED (stressed, tensed, worried, nervous)•COMPETITIVE (aggressive, bloodthirsty, ready for action)

ROLE OF MEDIA•INFORM THE PUBLIC •PUBLIC SERVICE•EDUCATE•ENTERTAIN•MAKE MONEY (through advertising)

UNDERSTANDING THE MEDIA

LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT OF THE MEDIA ON POLICE WORK.

ALTHOUGH CRITICAL TO THE POLICE, MOST OF THE MEDIA REPORTS ARE OCCASIONALLY JUSTIFIED.

IT IS UNFAIR FOR THE POLICE TO STEREOTYPE ALL MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AS ANTI-COP.

PROPER DECORUM IN DEALING WITH THE MEDIA

NEVER, EVER LIE DON’T SPECULATE DON’T AGRUE TALK ONLY ABOUT WHAT

YOU KNOW (if you don’t know say so)

“NO COMMENT” DOESN’T WORK (the viewer may perceive you are guilty of hiding something)

MEDIA POLICY/GUIDELINES Latest Policies on Media Relations

DO’S AND DON’TS

IMMEDIATE CONDUCT OF PRESS CONFERENCES AFTER A MAJOR INCIDENT OR SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENT IN RESPECTIVE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY (at least within two hours from the incident or activity).

DO’S AND DON’TS MEDIA ACCESS TO POLICE

BLOTTER Access to PNP documents by the

media and the public information are accessible but with caution to the public and the media as maybe indicated in the police blotter

Cases covered by RA 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2004)

Cases covered by RA 8505 (Rape Victim Assistance Protection Act of 1998) – Protects the identities of the victim and suspect (Entry maybe treated as confidential and “for record purposes only” as requested)

DO’S AND DON’TS

NON-PRESENTATION OF SUSPECTS TO THE MEDIA Refer to the Memo of the Chief PNP on

October 7, 2008 entitled “Policy Prescribing the Presentation or Non-Presentation of Suspects to the Media”

DO’S AND DON’TS

NO ACCESS OF MEDIA TO CRISIS/CONFLICT AREA It is the responsibility of the PNP to

safeguard the lives not only of the victims and suspects but likewise members of the media.

News media shall not be allowed access to any area or scene of an incident or crime where there is possibility that evidence maybe damaged, altered, destroyed or otherwise prejudiced by its existence being published or portrayed.

Be reminded always that the duty of the media is to inform the public and the duty of the PNP is to ensure the safety of the media and the public.

DO’S AND DON’TS

NO LIVE COVERAGE OF ACTUAL CONFLICT SITUATIONS Tactical movements can be easily

monitored/pre-empted and in the process pose high risks to our troops and the situation.

PROCEDURES IN RELEASING INFORMATION

DEFINITION OF TERMSPublic 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

DEFINITION OF TERMSLimit of Disclosure – Applies

only to limits set by legal requirements (e.g. rights of the accused, status of police operation)

Spokesperson – The officially-designated authority who acts as the mouthpiece of the PNP

Crisis – A crucial or decisive point or situation in the course of the situation.

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES DURING A CRISIS


STONEWALLDENY THAT A CRISIS

EXISTS, REFUSE TO ANSWER MEDIA QUESTIONS OR IGNORE THE ISSUE


MANAGE THE ISSUERELEASE PARTIAL

INFORMATION OR DELAY INFORMATION WHILE CONCEALING UNFAVORABLE FACTS.


OPEN COMMUNICATION POLICYTHE MEDIA IS FULLY AND

PROMPTLY INFORMED WHILE PROVIDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION TO PUT FACTS INTO PERSPECTIVE.

Remember:“a story candidly told, while perhaps embarrassing in its immediate impact, is less damaging than a cover-up version that generates rumors and suspicions.”


ON CRIMINAL MATTERS


ON CRIMINAL MATTERS

PNP PERSONNEL SHALL EXTEND EVERY REASONABLE COURTESY TO NEWS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES AT CRIMES SCENES. THIS MAY INCLUDE CLOSER ACCESS OF PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT THAN AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO THE DEGREE THAT IT DOES NOT INTERFERE WITH THE POLICE MISSION OR THE MOVEMENT OF TRAFFIC.


ON CRIMINAL MATTERS

AT THE SCENE OF SUCH CRIMES AS HOSTAGE AND BARRICADED SITUATIONS, THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE SHALL DESIGNATE A PRELIMINARY PRESS AREA AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE AND AS CLOSE TO THE SCENE AS SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS ALLOW.


ON CRIMINAL MATTERS

IN CASES WHERE A SUICIDE OR SUSPECTED SUICIDE HAS OCCURRED, ONLY FACTUAL INFORMATION DESCRIBING HOW THE INCIDENT HAPPENED MAY BE RELEASED TO THE MEDIA. THE NAME, AGE, SEX, ADDRESS AND

OCCUPATION OF THE VICTIM MAY ALSO BE RELEASED BUT ONLY AFTER THE VICTIM’S NEXT OF KIN HAD BEEN DULY INFORMED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FACT THAT A SUICIDE NOTE EXISTS MAY ALSO BE ACKNOWLEDGED WITHOUT FURTHER COMMENT. THE CONTENT OF SUCH NOTES IS PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL AND SHALL NOT BE RELEASED EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY LAW.


ON CRIMINAL MATTERS

SUSPECTS OR ACCUSED PERSONS IN CUSTODY SHALL NOT BE POSED OR ARRANGEMENTS MADE FOR PHOTOGRAPHS, TELECASTS OR INTERVIEWS, NOR SHALL DEPARTMENTAL PERSONNEL POSE WITH SUSPECTS OR ACCUSED PERSONS IN CUSTODY UNTIL AFTER INVESTIGATION HAD BEEN CONDUCTED.


ON CRIMINAL MATTERS

WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL IS CHARGED WITH A CRIMINAL OFFENSE AND IS SOUGHT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES, PHOTOGRAPHS OR MUG SHOTS MAY BE RELEASED TO THE MEDIA TO HELP LOCATE THE INDIVIDUAL. NO DEPARTMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHS, MUG

SHOTS, VIDEO TAPE, FILM OR COMPOSITES OF SUBJECTS IN CUSTODY SHALL OTHERWISE BE RELEASED TO THE MEDIA UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OR AUTHORIZED DESIGNEE.


ON NON-CRIMINAL MATTERS



AT THE SCENE OF SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS, MAN-MADE OR NATURAL CATASTROPHES, THE PRINCIPLES OF MEDIA COOPERATION SHALL BE MAINTAINED TO THE DEGREE THAT THEY DO NOT INTERFERE WITH THE MISSION OF THE POLICE, FIRE, MEDICAL OR OTHER EMERGENCY RELIEF WORKERS.



MEDIA ACCESS TO AND MOVEMENT WITHIN FIRE LINES SHALL BE CONTROLLED BY THE FIRE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE FIRE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE, THE RANKING POLICE OFFICER AT THE SCENE SHALL ESTABLISH AN OBSERVATION POINT FROM WHICH THE MEDIA MAY OBSERVE AND PHOTOGRAPH THE INCIDENT.



NEWS MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE PREVENTED FROM ACCESS TO ANY AREA BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THEIR INJURY OR DEATH. THE PIO SHOULD EXPLAIN THE

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE SITUATION AND IN CASE THE MEDIA INSIST ENTRY IN THE AREA, THE CONCERNED MEDIA MUST EXECUTE IN WRITING THAT HE WAS INFORMED OF THE RISK AND ACCESS IN THE SAID AREA AS HIS OWN VOLITION.



DAILY ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE ON A ROUTINE BASIS TO MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES. STATISTICAL REPORTS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WILL ALSO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA.


ON SOCO / CRIME SCENE


ON SOCO/CRIME SCENE

THE NEWS MEDIA SHALL NOT BE ALLOWED ACCESS TO ANY AREA OR SCENE OF AN INCIDENT OR CRIME WHERE THERE IS POSSIBILITY THAT EVIDENCE MAY BE DAMAGED, ALTERED, DESTROYED OR OTHERWISE PREJUDICED BY ITS EXISTENCE BEING PUBLISHED OR PORTRAYED.


ON SOCO/CRIME SCENE

WHEN THE SCENE OF THE CRIME OPERATIVES (SOCO) HAVE FINISHED PROCESSING THE CRIME SCENE AND HAVE SECURED ALL EVIDENCES, MEMBERS OF THE NEWS MEDIA MAY BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE AREA AND TAKE FOOTAGES/PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SCENE UPON PERMISSION OF THE COMMANDING OFFICERS OR SOCO TEAM LEADER.


ON SOCO/CRIME SCENE

RECOVERED/COLLECTED ITEMS/PIECES OF EVIDENCE MAY BE PRESENTED TO THE NEWS MEDIA ONLY AFTER THE SAME HAD BEEN PROCESSED, ACCOUNTED AND TURNED OVER TO THE EVIDENCE CUSTODIAN.

ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, PHOTOGRAPHY, FILM OR VIDEO TAPE RECORDING MUST REQUIRE THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER OR THE OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE.


ON SOCO/CRIME SCENE

INFORMATION SUCH AS TYPE AND QUANTITY OF PROPERTY TAKEN DURING ROBBERY INCIDENTS MAY BE RELEASED BY THE SOCO/FIRST RESPONDERS/INVESTIGATORS AT THE CRIME SCENES BUT BEYOND THAT, THE SOCO/FIRST RESPONDERS/INVESTIGATORS MUST AVOID GIVING PREMATURE INFORMATION THAT MAY AFFECT THE RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATION TO THE NEWS MEDIA.


ON INTELLIGENCE MATTERS


ON INTELLIGENCE MATTERS

WHILE IT IS THE POLICY OF THE PNP TO COOPERATE FULLY WITH THE MEDIA, HOWEVER, IT MAY KEEP FROM THE PRESS THOSE REGARDED AS ACTIVE OR CLASSIFIED SUCH AS “CRIMINAL INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION.”


ON NON-INVESTIGATIVE MATTERS


ON NON-INVESTIGATIVE MATTERS

THE PNP ALLOWS THE RELEASE OF INFORMATION OF A GENERAL NATURE WHICH IS NOT SPECIFIC TO AN ON-GOING INVESTIGATION.


ON INVESTIGATIVE MATTERS



FROM INITIAL STAGE OF A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UNTIL THE COMPLETION OF TRIAL OR DISPOSITION WITHOUT TRIAL, POLICE PERSONNEL SHALL REFER ALL REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION TO THE HEAD OF OFFICE OR HIS DESIGNEE.



INFORMATION THAT MAY BE RELEASED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTIGATION OF AN EVENT OR CRIME INCLUDES: THE TYPE OR NATURE OF AN EVENT OR CRIME THE LOCATION, DATE AND TIME, INJURIES

SUSTAINED, DAMAGES AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF HOW THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.

TYPE AND QUANTITY OF PROPERTY TAKEN THE IDENTITY AND APPROXIMATE ADDRESS

OF A VICTIM EXCEPT FOR SEX CRIMES OR CASES WHERE INTIMIDATIONS MAY BE EMPLOYED.

REQUESTS FOR AID IN LOCATING EVIDENCE, A COMPLAINANT OR A SUSPECT.

NUMBERS OF OFFICERS OR PEOPLE INVOLVED IN AN EVENT OR INVESTIGATION AND THE LENGTH OF THE INVESTIGATION.

NAME OF THE OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF A CASE, HIS SUPERVISOR AND DIVISION OR UNIT ASSIGNMENT (EXCEPTION: NAMES OF UNDERCOVER OFFICERS)



INFORMATION THAT MAY NOT BE RELEASED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTIGATION OF AN EVENT OR CRIME INCLUDES: THE IDENTITY OF A SUSPECT PRIOR TO

ARREST UNLESS SUCH INFORMATION WOULD AID IN APPREHENDING THE SUSPECT OR SERVE TO WARN THE PUBLIC OF POTENTIAL DANGER.

THE IDENTITY OF ANY VICTIM OF SEX CRIME OR ANY RELATED INFORMATION THAT WOULD: Interfere with law enforcement

proceedings Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial Constitute an unwanted invasion of

privacy rights Reveal the identity of an individual Disclose investigative techniques and

procedure Endanger the life or physical safety of a

person

NEWS WRITING

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.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

BASIC RULES ON NEWS WRITING

NEWS WRITING PATTERN/STRUCTURE

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 release should answer…

NEWSMAKING EVENTS Major accomplishments New campaign, major

operation Crime incidents Reorganization, new leaders Ceremonies Spending/ Appropriations Irregularity, scandal,

misconduct Action taken on an issue

The anti-drug personnel netted two persons in a buy-bust operations this morning at the Brgy. Bakhaw, Iloilo City.Jose Fernando, 20, and Mari Mar, 18, were arrested in their house after they handed over a sachet of suspected ‘shabu’ to a police poseur buyer.The suspects were in the drug watchlist of the Police Regional Office 6. The police recovered from the suspects the marked money of two pieces 500 peso bill, three pieces of heat-sealed plastic sachet containing suspected ‘shabu,’ and other drug paraphernalia.A case for violation of RA 9165 is being prepared against the suspect who are detained at the Iloilo City Police Station 1.

2 drug pushers arrested in buy bust

Management of media in crisis situation

Education

Transcript of Management of media in crisis situation