JST347 Policing and the Media. (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Justice Studies (JUSTU)
Duration: One session.
Abstract:
This subject introduces students to the role of the media in modern society and the historical and contemporary relationship that exists between police and the media.
The subject covers three main topic areas. The first discusses the history, nature and importance of police-media relations. In the second topic, students conduct a review of their organisation’s approach to the media, both at a corporate level and in a community policing or specialist area relevant to the subject participant. The third topic focuses on the development of a media strategy to support an operational plan that addresses a localised crime or strategic policing issue.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 2 | |
|---|---|
| Distance | Goulburn | Session 3 |
| Distance | Goulburn |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: JST347
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Enrolment restrictions:
Enrolment is restricted to students in the following undergraduate programs:-
- Bachelor of Policing.
- Bachelor of Policing (Investigations).
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- Be able to demonstrate knowledge of the historical and contemporary factors that influence the police/media relationship
- Be able to demonstrate a good understanding of their organisation’s media policies, the role of police media, marketing and communication branches, and the role of the commissioner and other levels of the hierarchy in engaging the media
- Be able to express a developed understanding of the influence of the media on public perceptions of police
- Be able to describe effective strategies and practises for engaging with the media and proactively promote police operational and strategic goals
- Be able to display a developed confidence in media interaction
- Be able to develop an operational or corporate media strategy to address a local policing issue
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
1. History of police and media relations
- Historical relationship
- Impact of legislation and policy on media access to police information
- Police and media objectives – shared or conflicting?
- Newsworthiness of police and crime (understanding the media interest)
2. Role of media in society (the fourth estate)
- The Fourth Estate
- Media perspective of police role
- Media ethics, law, restrictions and rights
3. Corporate media policies, campaigns and resources
- Police media, communication, marketing units and other corporate media management resources
- Media policy
- An organisational perspective on police interaction with the media: what can go wrong?
- Strategies for good media management
- Role of the constable in organisational media management and media relations
- proactive and promotional media relations
4. Conflict in police and media relations
- Identifying potential conflict
- Strategies for avoiding conflict
- Remedies to conflict
- Crisis communication and strategies at a local level
5. Police and media relations at a crime scene or event
- Strategies for managing the media at crime scenes
- Including media strategies in operational plans
- Everyday relations with the med: rights and responsibilities
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.