Posted on August 24, 2009 by by valerirojas

The NSW Police has published a media release to clear up their name after the Daily Telegraph published an article saying “NSW Police is censoring images of violent crimes to make the public feel safe on the streets”.

“Police spin doctors have issued a blanket ban on releasing photos of criminals carrying weapons during attacks.

Officers are also trained to play down violent incidents and public alerts are delayed by hours or days” Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph says Police media advisers have admitted they would never release such photos due to a “protocol” that prevents the release of images showing the commission of a crime.

The NSW Police had this to say: Unfortunately, not one word of a very detailed response provided to the Daily Telegraph last week on this issue was used in this morning’s article. Censorship in reverse, it could be argued.

Police also said unsolved crimes, including violent crimes are reported daily to the community in order for the public to assist police in their investigations. While it is important for information to be released as early as possible after a crime has been committed, there are occasions when investigators believe their investigation may be compromised and they request a delay on information to be published in order to help secure an arrest. Media Release

I can understand what the NSW Police is trying to say however I don’t see why they can’t publish images of offenders or incidents like it is done in other State police websites?

Comments from some of the Daily Telegraph commentators.

“ Rissa Posted at 6:56 AM Today
How about we all let the police do their jobs instead of judging them YET AGAIN? There are reasons they have to do and say the things they do. The media has proved itself time and time again to be unreliable and sensationalist. Perhaps if the media in this country prided itself on accurate reportage, the law enforcement agencies would be more prepared to work with them?”

“Jeth. B of Western Sydney  Posted at 7:22 AM Today
Ever since the Police encrypted their radio system, the Media Unit has done nothing to improve the speed and quality of information to the media. This is just an excuse of their poor and lazy work. They should be proactive as soon as something newsworthy happens send it to the media. The public are so very important in crime fighting and if they are not told than the Police just have that job a little harder.”

“Steve of Sydney Posted at 7:30 AM Today
Crime is getting worse and the police are sanitising crimes in an attempt to make politicians look good. It begs the question, is our society really anything like it is being portrayed by the authorities ?. Thanks to spin doctors we can’t even trust the government or police.”

“Jack of Padstow Posted at 7:35 AM Today
The only reason that police are ‘censoring’ images and reports of violent crime is so that the public remains unaware of how out of control crime is in this state. I’m sorry, but as a taxpaying citizen I have a right to know where the crime hot spots are in this state. I have the right to be able to avoid high risk areas. I have the right to know what perpetrators look like so I can take appropriate action for my own safety. Serious crimes are being hidden from the public so the police and the government don’t look so incompetent. Only a fool would believe otherwise.”

So is the NSW Police really censoring information from the community to make everyone feel safe? or is the Daily Telegraph complaining about nothing and as Jeth. B said, this article is just an excuse of their poor and lazy work?

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