The right to information
The freedom of the press guaranteed by the Basic Law is one of the outstanding features of a democratic constitutional state. It creates the conditions for the formation of will and opinion. The media are not only interested in information, but also have the right to receive it from the police. The State Press Act of North Rhine-Westphalia stipulates that authorities are obliged to provide the media with the information required to fulfill their duties, subject to the restrictions arising from the law.
The press work of the police is based on the following objectives and standards, among others, in its daily media work:
- It fulfills its obligation to provide information in accordance with Section 4 of the NRW State Press Act and creates the basis for objective reporting in the media.
- It clarifies the police's legal mandate to the public
- It conveys an objective image of the police to the public.
Press relations as a special form of public relations work includes the provision or supply of news and assessments about events or developments in police work to the media. Press work also includes the evaluation and compilation of media publications and the supervision of media productions.
Tasks of police press and public relations work
The press and public relations work of the North Rhine-Westphalian police makes an active contribution to an open flow of information. To ensure successful press and media work, the police have set up press and specialist public relations offices throughout the state.
Qualified press spokespersons endeavor to convey information and messages quickly, clearly and competently to the media, i.e. daily newspapers, journals, magazines, radio and television stations.
However, it is not only in day-to-day business that the police provide information quickly and comprehensively through accompanying press and public relations work, but especially in the case of outstanding police operations, such as serious accidents or major demonstrations.
The latest police press releases are published on the Internet in the press portal.
