In our Republic form of government, it is imperative for law enforcement officer

Question

In our Republic form of government, it is imperative for law enforcement officers to maintain the public trust. A large part of maintaining that trust requires police officers to do their jobs according to the rules and guidance set forth by the US Constitution. Data exists that shows police officers at times have abused their authority. Today’s media runs a 24 hour news cycle. Should the US media show video of police encounters before an investigation is complete? Clearly the public has a right to monitor their law enforcers, but should there be limits to that right? Does the media bear any responsibility for violence that breaks out after a video of an incident is shown? Post your opinion on the proper balance of the First Amendment rights of the press versus the idea that a video may not tell the whole story. Do the video releases have a public safety component to consider or is the act alone enough to ignite violence? Is there a media balance that should be considered? Are there ways to regulate this somewhat new phenomenon? Is there an ethical consideration for the media in these cases?

Explanation / Answer

Now a days every crime or police operation is taken to the public by media with various stories and videos. They are using these issues to increase their TRPs and this is not a good way to do so. It is true that the public has complete rights to monitor the law enforcers but it must be done only after total truth is known. But media is only showing them what they know and the rest is speculations which are sometimes baseless.

When media does not cover the entire truth the public might misunderstand the situation which might give rise to protests and violence where the total blame needs to be put on the media. In such situations it will be totally responsible for the consequences. So it is very important for the media to first know the entire truth and then present it to the public. The first amendment gives the right to express and the media can show facts to the public but it must be done for the welfare of the public but not for the gain of the media. When they do not tell the whole story it will be the nation that will be effected eventually.

The videos that are telecasted needs to be censored as much violent content might be present in them and it is nor advisable to show it to the public. Hence there must be some public safety factors and the media must follow them. This must be done by bringing in new laws where any incomplete information given via media must be considered as an offense . Though media is ethical in it's own view as it s taking what it shoots to the public, it must be aware of the consequence of half information given and act accordingly.

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