NCJ Number
109555
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (February 1988) Pages: 33-37
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
A news conference is a legitimate and effective means of disseminating information by the police to the public quickly and inexpensively.
Abstract
A news conference is a scheduled meeting of representatives of local news gathering organizations and is called by someone who has information of considerable interest to a large audience. Police can use news conferences to report on drug busts, big cases solved, major crimes just-occurred, new police programs launched, and personal changes at the top of the police organization. The event reported must be of such major significance that a large number of media representatives will be interested in responding in order to get the news firsthand, or else the news conference will lose its value as something really special. The Public Information Officer (PIO) is responsible for day-to-day press relations activities of the law enforcement agency; devising a mailing list of reporters for sending invitations; making physical arrangements for the conference; and preparing handouts which provide the basics needed for preparation of news stories and could include detailed statements or names and addresses. Planning the event includes adapting a briefing area, adequate lighting, press access to telephones, and visual aids, if necessary. The best hours for reaching the noontime and evening television news programs are midmorning and midafternoon. The entire conference should last no longer than 1 hour. Generally, the main speaker is the head of the agency or leader of the operation or project being reported on. Tips on presentation are detailed. The most important point is telling the truth, however there may still be some predetermined topics that should not be revealed.