The Society of Editors has today welcomed interim guidance by the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council that police forces should consider releasing the ethnicity and nationality of suspects at the point of charge.
The guidance, issued in the wake of public concerns and in an effort to ensure police processes are fit for purpose in an age of rapid information spread, encourages forces to disclose ethnicity and nationality when there is a clear policing purpose, such as countering misinformation and disinformation.
Dawn Alford, Chief Executive of the Society of Editors, said: “In an age where speculation and false narratives can spread online with lightning speed, accurate, timely and clear communication and information from forces has never been more important. We welcome this step, which recognises the harm that can be caused when information vacuums are filled by rumour, conspiracy, and disinformation.
“The Society of Editors has long campaigned for greater transparency and communication in the criminal justice system which is vital for maintaining public confidence in the police and the courts.
“Today’s new guidance on releasing the ethnicity of suspects will help ensure that accredited news organisations can continue to keep the public informed of factual news and information as well as helping counter fake news that may be circulating elsewhere.”
The Society has been working with the NPCC and the College of Policing to improve relations between the media and the police and, alongside other media bodies, published a major report setting out key recommendations to restore trust between journalists and officers.
Alford said: “Today’s new guidance forms part of a wider review by the College of Policing, NPCC and media bodies, including the Society of Editors, into how communications and trust between officers and journalists can be restored. By empowering forces to better communicate and release more information to the media, this will help both public understanding and public confidence on the role of policing and how decisions are made.”
