A new national Policing and Media Charter aimed at improving communication, rebuilding trust and strengthening cooperation between policing and professional journalists will be launched today (March 17) at the Society of Editors’ Future of News Conference.
Work on the charter began following discussions between representatives of the media and policing after the Nicola Bulley inquiry highlighted concerns about the breakdown in trust between journalists and police communications teams during major investigations.
The charter has been developed following almost two years of discussions between representatives of the media and policing, including the Society of Editors, the Crime Reporters Association, the Media Lawyers Association, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the College of Policing.
The work has involved extensive dialogue about the practical challenges faced by both journalists and police communicators when reporting on fast moving incidents, investigations and major events, added the Society of Editors. The aim of the charter is to establish clearer expectations, strengthen professional relationships and support the accurate flow of information to the public.
The charter recognises the vital role that accredited professional journalists play in informing the public and holding institutions to account, while also acknowledging the operational realities faced by policing.
It also places particular emphasis on regular engagement, background briefings, professional courtesy and the importance of timely communication during developing stories.
Dawn Alford, chief executive of the Society of Editors, said: “The relationship between journalists and the police is an essential one in a democratic society, but in recent years it is fair to say that trust between the two sides had begun to fray. Both policing and the media recognised that it needed to be rebuilt.
“For almost two years representatives from across the media sector and policing have sat down together, sometimes having very frank conversations about what was and was not working. Those discussions have not always been easy, but they have been constructive and undertaken in good faith.
“The result is a charter that we hope will become a practical reference point for both reporters and police communications teams. It will not solve every issue overnight, particularly when major incidents are unfolding quickly, but it provides a shared framework that both sides can turn to.”
She added: “The public deserves timely, accurate information about crime and policing. When information flows well between the police and responsible journalists, communities are better informed and the risk of speculation filling an information vacuum is reduced.”
Representatives from both the media and policing have committed to continuing dialogue and reviewing how the charter operates in practice, recognising that issues will inevitably arise during fast moving or complex news situations.
Rebecca Camber, chair of the Crime Reporters Association said: “This charter has the potential to fundamentally transform the relationship between police and the media, which remains essential to public confidence and policing legitimacy in the UK.
“I’m delighted that police have listened and together we have produced a groundbreaking charter which I hope will make a real difference to journalists, police and press officers everywhere.”
Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “This charter reflects a shared commitment between policing and the media to strengthen the way we work together in the public interest. Open and constructive relationships between police forces and professional journalists are vital to ensuring the public receives accurate and timely information.
“We welcome the collaboration that has taken place in developing this charter and look forward to continuing that dialogue as it is put into practice.”
The full Policing and Media Charter can be viewed here.
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