Violence and the Media

Andrew Trotter OBE QPM

Deputy Chief Constable, British Transport Police

Chair, ACPO Media Advisory Group

Violence and the Media

• No violence – no media interest

• Violence attracts media attention

• Exceptional violence - extensive media attention

Why does it matter?

• Media coverage results in Government attention / intervention

• Professional media relations expected

• Public confidence

Media Relations – a practical approachThe past• Lack of timely information• Police Spokesman – SIO or Gold Commander• Limited Access for the media on site• No regard for the needs of the media• Press were seen as an interference

This resulted in• Frustrated media• Trespassing on sites• Interviewing witnesses for information• Suspicious and often tense relationship

Where we were?• Reluctant Spokesperson

• Poor Image

• No Consistent Message

• No Record of Briefing

• Unauthorised Briefings

Media Demands• 3 Ms• Mayhem

– what’s happened ?• Mastermind

– how could it happen ?– analysis/experts etc

• Manhunt– who was responsible ?

Ladbroke Grove• 5 October 1999• Head-on collision• Closing speed

130mph• 31 people killed• 400 injured

Ladbroke Grove• Media RVP – Sainsbury's

Car Park • Separate Senior Officer

dedicated to needs of the media

• Regular briefings• Pooled media• International media• Fatality numbers

Notting Hill Carnival• “Peaceful Carnival”• August 2000• 2 Murders• 45 Stabbings• 400 Serious Crimes

9/11 Attacks

Post 9/11 - Reviews• National Media Emergency Forum• London Resilience Communication Group

– Quick time information– Mass media– Co-ordinate response with other agencies– 9/11: ‘Implications for Communications’

• accreditation and access• information flow• logistics

GOLD COMMUNICATION GROUP

GOVERNMENT’S GOVERNMENT’S NEWS CO-ORDINATION NEWS CO-ORDINATION

CENTRE (NCC)CENTRE (NCC)

 

COBRA  

 POLICE GOLD GROUP

Communication with Government

Emergency Services/

Other Agencies

Putting the theory into practice

London BombingsIssues• Media strategy• Blue light response• Scale of media interest• The Giuliani effect• Moving the story on

Lessons learned• Preparation• Relationships• Transparency• Pundits v Official Spokespeople • Media Centres• Websites• 24 Hour Broadcasters Media• Foreign Media• Media GOLD Group

ACPO Guidance –Media Relationship at Major IncidentPurpose• Maintain confidence• Support policing objectives• Keep public informed• Manage community impact

General Principles• Integration of

communications staff• Prioritise media relations• Consider internal

communication• Prepare and test in advance• Access to decision maker

Public confidence – de Menezes

Public confidence – Suffolk murders

Citizen journalists

The Future• Websites and new media• Advances in technology• Citizen journalists• Demand for information = more Pundits • Treat all media the same?• More scrutiny and legal challenge – need to get it right• Impact from global media• Greater partnership working with the media• Need to listen to their concerns and changing needs• Build on what already has been achieved

G20