Google search response for “sensationalism definition”
I read a recent blog post because of the title… “Police Brutality” The title alone is what grabbed my attention. Being a police officer I am always on the look out for stories that may damage the reputation of the police or to see what act is being described that way.
I was all ready to see a video of the police arresting someone, or using excessive force but instead, I saw a screen shot of an email. *sigh*
Police Brutality?? OK, the email was in all caps and bold so the officer was yelling. Brutality…uhm, no.
After a read of the article I was let down. This was purely a case of the writer using sensationalism to promote their story. Score one for the writer…it worked. I clicked, then I thought what a…never mind. (That might be more considered brutality if I say it).
Here’s a couple of things that we can take away from this.
Never think that what you say is private.
The email from the officer was probably sent to one person to send a message. That person was more than likely offended they got yelled at and in turn said, “I’ll show you.” Then voila, an email is shared with the world.
Keep your composure.
I have been right where that officer was sitting. Trying to collect information, get the facts, prepare a release and send it out. At the same time answering the phone and emails from people who want the information or have questions and can’t wait for the release. Patience and understanding is needed. Have I wanted to write that email? Oh yeah. Have I said those exact words to reporters? Yup…but often it’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.
Take a closer look at the author’s credit on the post of Police Brutality…
From “mediaworksgroup.com” – Media’s Masters & Disasters
I question the integrity tag for no other reason than his choice of title compared to the content of the piece. I don’t know Mr.Bernheimer at all and I can only make my opinion based on this first impression, but I will do my diligence and learn more about him.
Is this police brutality? Sadly by pure definition it may be just that…’excessive force in regards to the situation’. In this case, “The officer used caps lock in an email.” Oooohhhhh, for shame!!!
A final thought…facts. Get them before you judge. The writer said in his opening, “It’s a three-line email written, apparently, by a spokesman for the Chief of Police in New Haven, CT. It also may be the work of a hacker or a police department prankster who hijacked the public information officer’s email account.”
“Apparently“, “may be“, “or“…are not the words you want to use when accusing someone of “police brutality”.
I would have loved this article purely as a teaching note for police media relations officers and public information officers if the title was more accurate. Something like;
Apparently Police flack…may be a hack?
May be
Don’t yell in an interview, don’t yell in an email
Or
Your private email might become public by an offended person.
Tim
I couldn’t agree more.
Social Media, including emails have, in my opinion become almost a thorn in everyone’s side so to speak. We can no longer count on many things we grew up learning and many tend to believe everything they see without thought as to what the exact situation was.
You taught me the difference between “accident” and “collision”. I wish more people would listen when I try to explain that words such as “apparently”, “maybe” and “or” are words used when the truth is not known.
As for “Police Brutality” – in this case – are you kidding me? I know your not but that was my reaction. Brutality and bullying are huge issues, but often I see something and I think that by labeling it as either/or that it detracts from the bigger picture and said issues.
As a sidenote – I heard a news report a week or two ago that a bill was presented in the Manitoba Legislature regarding bullying that was called “too broad and sweeping” as it went so far as to state that bullying included “hurting someone’s feelings”. The members of the Legislature refused to pass the bill as it was. I have not heard anything further so I don’t know the outcome. In relation to “Police Brutality”, if this bill were law in CT – I shudder to think of the potential outcome.
Nancy
I never even considered how using the word brutality completely minimized and marginalizes the real issues of brutality and bullying in today’s scope. Great point. Thanks fore reading and leaving the comment!
Hi there– I’m the author of the original post. Somebody just called my attention to your blog, so I thought I might weigh in. I am a media trainer and consultant, and the “Police Brutality” post was part of a PR newsletter/blog I produce called “Media’s Masters and Disasters.” The blog’s focus is quite specific, and is obvious through (a) the title, and (b) the posts, all of which concern media strategy. Nobody reads my blog expecting a critique of law enforcement use of force. “Police Brutality” was a pun designed to characterize ill-advised behavior with regard to media relations, and nothing more.
When viewers hear a sportscaster say that one team “slaughtered” the other, they don’t accuse the announcer of hyperbole or exaggeration, because they presumably understand the context. Context matters!
Having said all that, I appreciate the fact that you read the post, started this dialogue, and allowed me to participate.
PS– I hope and trust you saw December’s post praising the outstanding media skills of Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson in the wake of the high school shooting in Centennial, CO.
Hi Mark.
Thank you so much for responding and pointing out your thoughts with your post. Admittedly, I get defensive about how police get portrayed for the good of clicks / sales and speak up when I don’t agree with it, as I did in this case. I also believe that I am fair in pointing out misgivings on the police side of things. I completely get what you were doing and applaud you in the success of the copy, but fear that when people do exaggerate to that extreme it really minimizes the impact for future use in cases of real brutality. Using your sports analogy, it would be like saying one team “slaughtered” another and the point differential was one. That would lead me to believe that there may have been a real slaughter that took place on the field since the score certainly didn’t indicate a slaughtering.
Thanks also for highlighting the work of Sheriff Robinson. Your blog is truly balanced and is an excellent read.
Tim