Media Issues - "The First 48"

[Oscarsjava]

I'm watching "The First 48" on A&E, and they're tracking a serial killer in Kansas City. They were able to follow his moves by triangulating his cell phone, and did all they could to keep information like that out of the hands of the media. Unfortunately, a local station got the information and broadcast that exact detail.

I remember back during the first Gulf War, when reporters would broadcast troop movements on CNN.

How big of an issue is this in law enforcement? Have there been any instances when a media blackout was breached? If so, how was it handled? Thanks all!

[Valor55]

I'm watching "The First 48" on A&E, and they're tracking a serial killer in Kansas City. They were able to follow his moves by triangulating his cell phone, and did all they could to keep information like that out of the hands of the media. Unfortunately, a local station got the information and broadcast that exact detail.

I remember back during the first Gulf War, when reporters would broadcast troop movements on CNN.

How big of an issue is this in law enforcement? Have there been any instances when a media blackout was breached? If so, how was it handled? Thanks all!

After the next homicide, I think you could actually articulate an accessory to murder charge on the reporter that let that out. :mad:

[hscop]

The media is annoying.

[Legoate]

We ask the media not to film when EOD or SWAT are doing their operations so as not to publicize police tactics.

The media complies because if they don't they know our PIO will leave their station out of the loop on any upcoming info.

[oscarmitre]

Some years ago in rural New South Wales the police were involved in a siege at a farmhouse where an armed offender had a couple of hostages. Inner and outer cordons were set up, negotiators were in place and talking to the offender. Then a media current affairs programme from Sydney landed in the inner cordon area in a helicopter.

I think that's still the best example I can give.