The end of symbiosis? Australia police–media relations in the digital age

Abstract

As the police move further into areas of traditional journalistic practice, the ‘unhappy marriage’ between the police and the media becomes more complex. To what extent this symbiotic relationship has allowed for transparency has varied over time, subject to political, operational and technological change. While acknowledging the police premium on access to information, this relationship is further challenged by police oversight bodies, the spread of corporate mangerialism and media decentralisation. Through qualitative interviews with Australian police, crime, court and investigative journalists, we provide a fresh perspective on this relationship from the journalists' point of view. In particular we explore the impact of digital media, social media and mobile technology on this relationship integral to maintaining public confidence in the police. This research serves as the basis for further interrogation into police perceptions of the role of the media and how an increasingly mediated public sphere is influencing public confidence in the police.

Keywords:

• police–media relations
• transparency
• digital media
• social media

Notes

1. While in this article we do not address specifically the role of citizen journalists within organised public protest, Greer and McLaughlin (2010) provide an in-depth analysis of the extensive role citizen journalism played in exposing police operations at the G20 Summit protests in London in 2009 in general, and in particular, the death of Ian Tomlinson. See also Lee and McGovern (2014) for a discussion on the Tomlinson case.

2. Operation Mallard investigated Purcell for alleged improper interference in the NSW Police Force investigation of an alleged sexual assault in Waverley, Sydney, in 2004, and the release of confidential information to the media (among other recipients). Purcell faced eight criminal charges, including perverting the course of justice and misconduct in public office for the release of confidential police information (NSW Police Integrity Commission 2007, p. 8), pleading guilty to the misconduct charge and to misleading the NSW Police Integrity Commission. See NSW Police Integrity Commission (2007).

3. The Police Regulation 2000 (NSW) was amended in 2008, the latest incarnation being Police Regulation 2008 (NSW). There have been no material changes to the Confidential Information clause (75).

4. The Policy states that breaches may result in disciplinary action or criminal or civil sanctions.

5. See R v Purcell [2010] NSWDC 98). Furthermore, the PIC recommended that ‘consideration be given to the enactment of a provision in New South Wales that creates a statutory offence of the unauthorised release of confidential information which could cover the situations exposed during this investigation’ (NSW Police Integrity Commission 2007, p. 8).

6. The announcement by the Victorian Chief Justice of plans to establish a court blog, which would ‘fill the void left by the decline in the number of court reporters’ (Merritt 2013), and ‘to create greater community understanding around controversial issues’ (Warren 2013), is a recent example of this. See Warren (2013).

7. The moving of police headquarters to Parramatta (for Sydney-based reporters), represented a serious diminution of access to police, given that most of the major media outlets are based in the Sydney Central Business District (CBD).

8. In the early hours of Saturday 22 September 2012 Melbourne woman Jill Meagher went missing during a short walk home after a night out with work colleagues. On the 27 September Adrian Ernest Bayley was arrested for the kidnapping, sexual assault and murder of Meagher. Bayley’s arrest came in the wake of sustained social and traditional media attention, with every angle of the police investigation broadcast to an anxious public wanting answers. Social media in particular played a significant role in initially making the case known, and then aiding in the detection and capture of Meagher’s killer. Pivotal to the case was CCTV footage, which pictured the accused with Meagher, and mobile phone data, that eventually led police to Meagher’s body. On the 5 April 2013 Bayley pled guilty to the sexual assault and murder of Meagher and has been sentenced to life in prison. For a detailed discussion of the social media agenda-setting, and role of technology and social media in relation to the Meagher case, see Milivojevic and McGovern (2014).

9. The NSW PMU had images supplied by its multimedia team (three video and one stills operator) with the AFP supplying one camera and one still photographer. ‘Police photos, videos and accounts of the operation provided much of the TV and online coverage as well’ (see ABC 2014).

10. See R v Jamie Glenn Jackson Reed [2013] NSWLC. These charges have since been dropped, as have the charges in related cases R v Bryn Hutchinson [2013] NSWLC and R V Kate Hutchinson [2013] NSWLC.