According to a report published by three media groups, the police have created an ‘information vacuum’ that has allowed social media speculation to thrive.
The deteriorating relationship between the police and the press has enabled unchecked speculation, as stated in a report by the Society of Editors (SoE), the Crime Reporters’ Association (CRA), and the Media Lawyers Association (MLA).
A joint report released on Friday highlights a decrease in background briefings by the police, leading to social media commentators filling the void of information.
These media groups have put forward 26 recommendations to address this issue.
Last year, Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood criticized Dorset Police for a lack of clarity following a tragic incident at Bournemouth beach, which sparked wild speculation on social media.
Similarly, an independent review of the Nicola Bulley case in January 2023 revealed a fractured relationship between Lancashire Police and the media.
The family of Nicola Bulley described some of the media coverage as “shameful,” with Detective Superintendent Rebecca Smith criticizing influencers on TikTok for spreading false information that distracted the investigation team.
The Chair of the CRA, Rebecca Camber, emphasized the urgent need to rebuild the broken relationship between the press and police.
She stressed the importance of transparency in police work and the benefits of fostering trust between the two entities.
Prior to 2011, when the News of the World scandal erupted, police and journalists had a collaborative relationship, sharing information and providing background briefings on cases.
However, after the scandal, police communications became restricted, leading to a breakdown in relations between the two parties.
The report highlighted three incidents where social media speculation overshadowed facts due to a lack of official police information.
Rebecca Camber stressed the need to shift the perception that the media is the problem and proposed collaboration to rebuild public trust.
The report recommended that police hold press briefings on major incidents and communicate effectively with the media.
Next week, the National Police Chiefs’ Council plans to hold a round-table discussion to improve the relationship between the police and the press.
PA Media contributed to this report.
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