Mediated Access: Police Public Information Officers and Crime Reporters On Message Control, Social Media, Body Camera Footage and Public Records

DOI: 10.5176/2301-3710_JMComm16.25

Authors: Dr. Carolyn S. Carlson, Paymon Kashani

Abstract: Crime reporters and police public information officers struggle over control of the messages that the public receives on crime. This study is based on national surveys of both groups in the United States and measures their perceptions on message control, use of social media, and the handling of body camera footage and public records.

Keywords: gatekeeping, agenda setting, public information officers, crime reporting, message control, police body cameras, social media, public records