Highlights
We are about to participate in a controversial presidential election. We have just experienced massive collegial demonstrations regarding the Middle East. The economy is uncertain.
How is the law enforcement profession faring in times of stress and uncertainty? How does the police relate to other institutions? Who does the public trust more: the police or the media?
Author
Leonard Adam Sipes, Jr.
Former senior crime prevention and statistics specialist at the Ministry of Justice Clearinghouse. Former Director of Information Services, National Crime Prevention Council. Former adjunct associate professor of criminology and public affairs at the University of Maryland, University College. Former police officer. Retired federal senior spokesperson.
Former advisor to presidential and gubernatorial campaigns. Former advisor to the national media campaign “McGruff-Take a Bite Out of Crime.” Successful media campaigns against crime produced by the state.
Thirty-five years leading award-winning (50+) public relations for state and national criminal justice agencies. Interviewed thousands of times by every national news outlet, often focusing on crime statistics and research. Created the first state and federal podcast series. Produced a unique and emulated style of proactive government public relations.
Certificate of Advanced Study – Johns Hopkins University.
Author of ”Media Success: Everything You Need to Survive Reporters and Your Organization‘ available from Amazon and other booksellers.
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Article
I have a reader question: Who does the public trust during major events or emergencies? Controversial elections are coming, linked to the war in Gaza, anti-Semitism and economic uncertainty.
There are dozens of research-based articles that give law enforcement officers and police officers fairly high marks regardless of the demographics of respondents, with differences based on political affiliation, age, race, income, and additional factors.
A fundamental truth of public relations is that citizens trust law enforcement more than they trust many other professions, including the media. This means that during emergencies or controversial times, the ability of police to communicate effectively and accurately becomes an important consideration. With low media ratings, the tools police departments have through social media, self-created media, and their relationship with mainstream news organizations need to be evaluated.
We need to understand that fake media exists. I can sit in front of a green screen, import commercially available video and audio clips, create a realistic digital television set, and say anything I want. There is now software that uses artificial intelligence to create professional videos or audio almost instantly. Bad actors can cause panic. It is up to us and our relationship with the media to respond quickly.
Pew research during COVID
Americans’ Views of the News Media During the COVID-19 Outbreak provides an ethical comparison between the news media and a variety of institutions, including police officers (see page three link below). It was published during the pandemic.
It supports a near-continuous narrative of overwhelmingly positive assessments of individual police officers and the law enforcement profession during times of tremendous emotional stress.
With the upcoming presidential election and the Middle East back in the news with massive collegial protests and an uncertain economy, it’s time to revisit the controversial events and see how they could play out for the law enforcement community.
Pew Americans’ views of the news media during the COVID-19 outbreak
Even as Americans are more likely to give the news media positive rather than negative marks on key aspects of COVID-19 reporting, journalists’ views remain generally more negative — particularly regarding American trust in journalists and their views on their ethical standards. Moreover, divisions between the major parties are as deep as they were before the outbreak began, and Republicans and Democrats disagree more strongly on their assessment of the media than on several other institutions.
Overall, Americans are about evenly split in their trust in journalists. About half (48%) have at least a “fair amount” of confidence that journalists will act in the best interests of the public, including 9% who say they have “a lot” of confidence. But the other half (52%) have “not too much” or “no confidence at all” in journalists to serve the public interest.
Public trust in journalists is slightly lower than the last time this question was asked end of 2018when 55% had at least a fair degree of confidence that journalists will act in the best interests of the public, including 15% who had the highest level of confidence. Since many issues and events have occurred since late 2018, the reason for the change is unclear.
Ethics
Views on the ethics of journalists are now more negative than positive. About four-in-ten Americans (43%) say journalists have “very high” or “high” ethical standards, while a majority (56%) say they have “low” or “very low” standards. Americans’ views on journalists’ ethical standards are largely stable compared to 2019, the last time this question was asked.
American views on the ethical standards of journalists follow a very similar pattern. Journalists are at the bottom, compared to five other groups of individuals asked about. And again, the only group journalists outrank are elected leaders (only 27% of Americans think elected leaders have high or very high ethical standards).
Ethical standards for other professions
The public is more likely to think that doctors (92%) police officer emphasis added (73%) and religious leaders (67%) have very high or high ethical standards, while journalists (43%) are about on par with lawyers (44%).
Ethics chart for professions during COVID
Conclusions
After 35 years of leading media relations for national and state criminal justice agencies, I read articles about the news media every day and it is brutal. Major U.S. news outlets have been plagued by major losses in revenue, reputation and reporters dedicated to reporting on crime and the justice system. The Washington Post’s readership is down 50 percent, with millions in lost revenue.
Some of you may want to celebrate the declining power of the news media, but my experience has been largely positive. Experienced crime reporters have covered many potentially explosive events where reporting was not warranted. Many reporters understand that most Americans support law enforcement. Reporters may have a common bond with officers because they often experience the same events at the same time.
With multiple concerns and the presidential election approaching, it is a good idea to explore the options and impact on law enforcement. It seems that when major events occur, the public “largely” understands the challenges police officers face and is “generally” supportive, especially compared to the media and other institutions.
It also comes down to a question of trust in public communication in difficult times. Law enforcement is seen as a reliable source of information. The way we handle public communication during major events plays a role in their successful outcome.
Yes, those who write about media issues are extremely put off by the thought of giving control of the narrative to law enforcement. They want more police accountability, not competition, and demand that reporters independently verify what police spokespeople say. I have no problem with that.
But with the lack of knowledgeable crime reporters who have expert knowledge of the legal system or emergency situations, and the media’s reliance on journalists with general assignments, we within the justice system have a unique responsibility to ensure that we provide accurate, accessible, be responsible and reliable. have the means to communicate. A good and trusting relationship with the media helps with this.
Quickly understanding and unmasking false media becomes crucial.
I was once told by an Associated Press reporter that if I said the Chesapeake Bay Bridge collapsed (I was the director of public information for the Maryland Department of Public Safety), they would pass it on without verification because they were telling me and the authorities trusted. information I have provided.
In difficult times, public and media trust becomes an essential part of media relations in emergency situations.
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