NCJ Number
122700
Journal
Crime to Court: Police Officer's Handbook Dated: (1990) Pages: 11-13,Joseph C Coleman,-- See NCJ-122697)
Date Published
1990
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The Supreme Court has resolved conflicts between law enforcement agencies and the media by emphasizing the protections of free speech and chastizing new organizations only if they published false information with malice or recklessly disregarded the truth.
Abstract
The Court has also established criteria permitting the press to use lawful means to obtain news from any source. With these standards, conflicts inevitably arise between law enforcement officers and the news media. Courts object to law enforcement attempts to decide what is newsworthy, and news organizations attempts to acquire information regardless of its nature or sensitivity. Law enforcement officers should leave the media alone whenever possible and remember that their primary goal is to preserve evidence and protect the public.