Police - Media Relations

The media are very much part of modern life and something to which virtually everyone turns on a daily basis for news and information about what is happening in their community, their region, their country and the world. However, besides informing the public, with their releases the media are in the position to have influence on the public opinion.

That makes the media a powerful element in the society. It even is sometimes called the 4th power in a democratic society (besides legislation, executive and jurisdiction).

Media can serve the concern for democracy to the extend in which they are independent of government and institutions. Where the media act as a tool of monopoly interest, the concerns of a democracy that values diversity are undermined.

The aim of this lesson is to give participants an understanding of the importance of a good working relationship between police and media in a democratic society. It will be emphasized that this relationship is of mutual benefit.

At the end of this session each participant will be able to:

• Explain the role of media in a democratic society;
• Describe the responsibilities of police and media;
• Briefly describe the main causes of conflict;
• Outline main points of the Kosovo Police Service Policies and Procedures concerning Media Relations;
• State the main rules for dealing with the media and some of the pitfalls to be avoided;
• Identify ways in which the media can be utilized to reach a target audience.