CRIME REPORTING or JOURNALISM: Fact over Myths & Fake

Vivek Agrawal

Mumbai 09 November 2009

Crime reporting or journalism is a type of reporting that focuses on crime and criminal activity.

It involves the gathering, writing, and dissemination of news and information related to crime and the justice system.

Crime reporters are responsible for investigating and reporting on criminal activities, including arrests, trials, and convictions.

Crime reporting can cover a wide range of criminal activities, from street crime such as theft, robbery, and assault to more complex crimes such as corporate fraud, organized crime, and terrorism.

The role of crime reporters is to provide accurate and timely information to the public about criminal activity and its impact on society.

Crime reporters typically work for newspapers, magazines, television or radio stations, and online news outlets. They often have a background in journalism or criminal justice and must be able to work well under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and maintain high ethical standards.

Good crime reporters have a deep understanding of the criminal justice system, investigative techniques, and the nuances of crime reporting, allowing them to produce high-quality and informative news coverage.

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CRIME REPORTING

Writing news about Incidents like murder, theft, dacoity, robbery, kidnapping, frauds, scams, bribery comes under crime journalism.

1. With the changes in journalism, crime journalism has also changed.
2. Crime news is prominently published today.
3. Crime journalism dominated the newspapers, TV News and the Internet.
4. As news of crime journalism grew, so did the demand for better reporting.
5. Crime reporting is a serious and responsible job.
6. Crime journalism is complex and difficult due to its demand of expertise.
7. Crime journalism is not just about reporting incidents.
8. The news of crime makes people alert and aware.
9. How criminals are targeting people by adopting the new methods of crime, such information comes from the crime news. This makes people aware.
10. If people pay attention to the information given in crime news, thay can save themselves.
11. Regrettably, people do not take such news seriously and fall in the clutches of criminals.
12. News of fraud, forgery, fraud comes repetitively. Such crimes are increasing. It is evident that people do not learn from crime news or fall in the trap of thugs out of greed.
13. People are made aware by giving information about laws and rights through crime reporting.
14. The rights of the victim and the duties of the police are also explained.
15. How is the law and order of the city, how the criminals are active, which criminals have the patronage of the powerfull and bigwigs, police functioning… without understanding these points, good crime reporting is not possible.

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ELEMENTS AND VALUES OF CRIME NEWS

Dignity, importance and principles of Crime Journalism.

1. Scope: The wider the topic of the news, the more people will be interested in it. Any matter related to the national interest.
2. Novelty: What a person already knows a fact of incidence, it is not news. News is that which contains new information or information.
3. Extraordinary: Every news brings new information but not every new information is news. If there is something unusual in the new information, then it is news.
4. Truthfulness and Authenticity: The truth or factuality of an event is essential. It shouldn’t be based on rumors or hearsay. Have factual knowledge of true events. The news will be reliable and authentic only by truth or fact.
5. Interesting: New information should not only make news with accuracy, more people should be interested in it. If people are not interested, then that information is not news.
6. Effectiveness: News must also be effective. Every information is directly or indirectly related to a large group, class of people. If any information does not affect any group or section of the society, then that news is useless.
7. Clarity: The language of good news should be simple, easy, clear. The information may be new, extraordinary, influential,

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TYPES OF CRIME AND INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

1. Investigative Journalism: Investigative journalist is actually another form of crime journalist. Panama Paper Leak
2. Underworld / Mafia Reporting: Underworld or gang news articles falls in this category.
3. Police Station Reporting: Every day many case are registered in the police stations.
4. Economic Crime Reporting: Scams, tax evasion, customs duty evasion, NPAs of banks, corruption, bribery scandals, etc. comes under this category. Nirav Modi scam.
5. Accidents reporting: Trains, Buses orfire in woods, factories
6. Riots reporting: Riots after Babri structure demolition.
7. Terror activities reporting: 26/11 Mumnai Terror attack or 12^th March 1993 Serial blast case.  
8. Cyber Crime Reporting: Cyber crime has become more dengorus & lethal for society and country. Cosmos Bank 148 Crores online heist.
9. Social Crime Reporting: There is long list of social crimes in India. From dowry harassment & murders to hate crime against LGBTQ or intercast marriage murders.
10. Data Crime Reporting: Journalism based on crime statistics. NCRB, UNDOC etc.
11. Field Reporting: Coverage of events like murder, dacoity, riots, assault, robbery, the reports prepared on the spot are the most reliable.
12. Night reporting: It is unique and fun filled, extremely sensitive & dangerous, at the same time exciting.
13. Legal / Court reporting: courts generats load of news related to the crime.
14. Interviews: Interviews of officers of police or intelligence agencies, inforements, criminals, their relatives and friends.
15. Positive reporting: Stories of good crime investigations, work of brave police or intelligence officers.

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WHO IS A CRIME REPORTER

1. The journalist who covers the criminal cases, writes on them, is a crime reporter.
2. Covers robbery, dacoity, murder, rape, kidnapping, accident, scams, terrorist incidents, gose in to the depth of the crimes and presenting them, reaching the hideouts or dens of criminals and interviewing them, are the crime reporters.
3. Crime reporting is extremely sensitive.
4. Many difficult situations arise every day.
5. Crime reporter has an important role in the society.
6. Crime reporter has to deal with criminals to arrogant cops.

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QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CRIME REPORTER

• Talent: Be a detective, psychologist, lawyer at one time, should serve the society with his talent.
• News Mindfulness: How to make a good news from an an event. Send news of importance and interest from a plethora of events.
• sharp vision: 
• Hearing power: Good listener
• integrity
• boldness
• Ability to understand complex events, diverse problems.
• Curious Tendency – To go deep into the news, to uncover new facts, truth, curious nature is necessary.
• imagination power
• mobility
• accuracy: यथार्थता
• objectivity: वस्तुनिष्ठता
• Quick news compilation, clear explanation and accuracy can make it easy for the readers.
• Practical knowledge and command over language are the basic qualities of a crime reporter.
• Human values ​​are important.
• Patient, hardworking, visionary, good talker.
• Unbiassed – If presents wrong facts, huge damage is possible to the individual, society, country.
• Be very tactful and all-rounder.
• Serious – Crime reporter needs serious reporting.
• Always alert – reach the spot as soon as the crime is reported.
• Fact Finding & Exposing: Support the aggrieved party in false or wrong cases registered by the police.
• Shorthand & Typing
• Knowledge of technology

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PRECAUTIONS FOR CRIME REPORTER

1. Police frames the innocent as criminals, do fact-finding and report correctly.
2. IB, RAW, Police use crime reporter, avoid this.
3. Vicious criminals complicate the situation for reporter in the web of laws, avoid them.
4. Lawyers uses crime reporter for their benefits, be aware of them.
5. Report the dowry murder case seriously. Support the grooms & family in a wrong case.
6. Do not publish-broadcast news or views with prejudice.
7. Do not exaggerate news or views.
8. Do not sensationalize news or views.
9. Do not exaggerate, make spicy and / or concocted content in the feature stories.
10. Do not publish and broadcast pictures and cartoons that increase mental and physical tension.
11. Do not sensationalize crime and cinema events bypassing important issues of society.
12. Do not be influenced by political and economic dominant groups.
13. Factless news – Rat race for big and sensational news creates false or fake news, avoid it. Live India Channel, News of Delhi Teacher Uma Khurana.
14. Breaking news race: False or one-sided news comes. The prominence of the police claim, however hollow. Gangrene in Dawood’s leg.
15. Dependence on police officers: The main reason for the fall in the level of crime reporting.
16. Do not become a judge: The court will decide whether the accused has committed the crime or not. Don’t judge yourself, just present the facts.
17. Competition in Crime Reporting: Despite the challenges, pressures, tensions, competition, honest crime reporters make a difference.

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KNOW THE LAWS

Efficient crime reporting requires not only practical knowledge but the Familiarity of laws of the land too.

1. IPC – Indian Penel Code
2. CrPC -Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 For the enforcement of criminal law in force from 1st April 1974.
3. Customs Act
4. Human rights laws
5. Child and Women’s rights laws
6. Bare Acts like Moter Vehical Act.
7. Powers of top police officers
8. Powers of Courts
9. Arrest Rules
10. Rules of Law and Order
11. Functions of Police and Powers of Investigation
12. Knowledge of legal functioning from Police Manual.
13. What are cognizable and non-cognizable offences.
14. What and what are bailable and non-bailable offences.
15. What are FIR, Roznamcha, DD Entry, Tahrir, Rukka, Kalandra, Visra, Panchanama.
16. Knowledge of Police Act along with the main sections of IPC, CrPC.
17. Urdu and English words are used in police and court work, should know their meanings.
18. Know the difference between detention and arrest.
19. Crime reporting is better if there is information about the functioning of the police, investigation etc.

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HOW TO START

• Get information and phone numbers of all police stations, outposts, offices, special cells, crime branches.
• Meet and coordinate with top police officers, station heads, inspectors, writers, clercks, constables, even Jamadars.
• The more contacts you make, the quicker and better information you will get. Opportunity to develop information. Concrete and factual reporting.
• Supreme Court, High Court, Civil Court, Sessions Court, Magistrate Court, MCOCA, POCSO, MP-MLA, CBI, Labor Court, Family Court, Cooperative Court, Motor Vehicle Court, TADA, NDPS, MPID, SC-ST, etc. needed.
• Learn about laws and legal issues.
• If you understand the judicial process well, then reporting will be easy. You can write good news.
• Get in touch with lawyers to understand court proceedings.
• Build relationships with court clerks as well.
• Pressrooms of police & courts.

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EPICENTER OF CRIME NEWS

INSTITUTIONAL / DEPARTMENTS

1. Police: The best friends of crime and investigative journalists are the officers and employees of the police.
2. Hospital: Cases like fights, accidents, suicide, murder, attempt to murder come to the fore to become a police case.
3. Customs: Reports of smuggling of goods like drugs, gold, blood sandalwood, crimes of specific persons.
4. DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence): Seizure of drugs, gold, blood sandalwood, counterfeit currency etc., news of raids on bookies and VVIPs are the major sources.
5. Courts: A lot of news comes out of the courts. Karcoons, employees, peons, scribes, touts are of great use.
6. Income Tax Department: News of film stars, industrialists, big businessmen, bookies, bookies, VVIPs raids.
7. Informants are the most important sources of crime and investigative journalists.
8. CAG (Accountant General of India): Brings out the discrepancies in the expenditure of the Central, State Governments, Departments.
9. ATS: News on Terrorism.
10. IB: internal and external situation of the country, news of criminals.
11. RAW: External situation of the country, news of criminals. Kulbhechan Jadhav Case
12. Coast Guard: Reports of crimes taking place in the EEZ. 26-11 Kuber boat rescue operation footage.
13. CBI: News of big crimes, scams source.
14. ED: News of major economic offences.
15. GST, Excise: News of major economic offenses and tax evasion.
16. SEBI: Corporate and stock market related crime news. Harshad Mehta Case
17. RBI: News of more crimes.
18. NCB: Narcotics Control Bureau – Aryan Khan case, Fardeen Khan Case
19. Forensic Science Lab – Technician and staff useful in latest news of crimes and follow up.
20. NGOs – NGOs engaged in specific work give various types of news.
21. Liquor Bars, Dance Bars, Brothels: The den of criminals and informers

INDIVIDUAL / PERSONS

1. Criminals & retired criminals: Retired criminals are good sources of information. After the death of Dawood’s brother Mustakin, all the information was received from his friends.
2. Retired officers: a treasure trove of information. There are experts in a particular area. IB Retired B. Raman or Brigadier Hemant Mahajan, retired from the army, he is always equipped with the latest information.
3. Bookies: Readers are interested in betting. Cricket spot-fixing scam busted by angry bookie.
4. Lawyers – news of all kinds of crimes
5. Celebrity lower staff: Gives reports of internal crimes.
6. Police Photographer – New news of crimes and effective in follow-up.
7. RTI activists: Fest sources of news in the new age. There are many famous RTI activists in the country.
8. CHA: Customs Clearing Agent provides the best inside information on customs.
9. CA: Chartered Accountants are expert in reporting economic offences. Mumbai’s 36 thousand crore shoe scam
10. Waiters: Hotels, especially bars and dance bars, are a great source.
11. Taxi, autorickshaw, tonga, rickshaw drivers: Storehouses of information.
12. Labor union leaders: Workers, people, politicians, officials, contacts of criminals. Insider news of industrialists and corporate world is available.
13. Barbalas, prostitutes, call girls, pimps: big and sensational news emanates from them.
14. Panwadi & Barber: There is no better information system than panwari-barber. Paan shop at Bandra Band Stand.
15. Fellow Journalist – For some reason the partner’s news is not published, then you will get the news, provided there is a better relationship with fellow journalists.
16. General public – The larger the range, the more information will be available about crimes sooner.

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CRIME JOURNALISM PRECAUTIONS

1. Give an opportunity to the aggrieved party to file or rebut their response within a sufficient time frame. listen to them.
2. Avoid giving unnecessary publicity to a personal matter.
3. Avoid exaggeration to increase people’s interest in the news.
4. Do not serve blindly the news of personal sorrow. Human rights, privacy, emotions, privacy are important.
5. All sects and communities should be given equal respect while writing on religious disputes.
6. In cases related to sex, women, children, the report should not become a punishment, it should not ruin anyone’s life.
7. Obtain information from sting operations or recording telephonic conversations or trickery only when it is in the public interest. That too when there is no option left to get the information.
8. The name, photograph, identity of the rape victim or the female offender should not be in the news, visuals, graphics. Blur the picture.
9. Until the court proves someone guilty, write him as an accused.
10. National interest is first. Limit and dignified the coverage of country’s defense and foreign policy.
11. Keep the identity of the minor accused secret, blur the pictures and videos.
12. Take special care when writing news of court proceedings.
13. Do not write the news of the court proceedings on the things you have heard. The news should not be one sided. Be sure to reach out to the other side and write its side as well.
14. The language of court news should be moderate and decent.
15. Do not disrespect the court.
16. Write news on the basis of FIR, complaints, allegations, arrests, legal documents but must give information about the source.
17. Do not write so that the honor and respect of any party will be hurt.
18. Do not make news unless you understand the language of the court proceedings. Get it from the lawyers.
19. After the decision of the court, the news written by you should not create a feeling of distrust in the public.
20. Write the news only after seeing the copy of the judgement.
21. Many times lawyers describe the decision from the perspective of their client. The news based on this will be false or one-sided.
22. Avoid over enthusiastic of overzealousness when writing news of court proceedings.
23. Reporters keep in mind that they are mere journalists, not judges.

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CONSTITUTIONAL FREEDOM TO SPEAK THE TRUTH

Ambedkar said in the Constituent Assembly, “The right of the press is not a right which cannot be granted to a citizen in his individual capacity. Whenever the editor of the press or his manager writes something for the newspapers, he writes it in the exercise of the authority available in his capacity as a citizen.”

Those who expect journalists to speak the truth have to understand whether they stand with the truth.

The Indian Constitution also gives freedom of speech to the citizens. If something is wrong, they should speak up. Whether to speak against the wrong people or the administration or the government.

• Articles 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Constitution give freedom of speech and rights to the citizens of the country.
• Article 19 guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression overall.
• Article 19(a) gives the right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Article 19(b) gives the right to freedom of peaceful assembly.
• Article 19(c) gives the right to freedom to form fedration, association or co-operative society.
• Article 19(d) gives the right to freedom of free movement throughout the territory of India.
• Article 19(e) gives the right to freedom to settle anywhere in the territory of India.
• Article 19(g) confers on everyone the right to freedom of any profession, occupation, trade or business.
• Article 20 provides protection for offenses till proven guilty. It is also beneficial for journalists.
• Article 21 ensures the life and personal liberty of every citizen.
• Article 22 insures the personal liberty, which is the basic spirit, which guarantees fundamental rights to the arrested person.

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THE EROSION OF CRIME JOURNALISM

It is sad to see the rotten condition of the media and crime reporting now days.

There is a lack of investment in the media for good investigative and crime reporting and social reporting.

The focus of the media is to collect as much news as possible sitting in the office without sending the reporter to the field.

This process is known by the name “armchair journalism” i.e. “chair journalism”.

Reporting is not reliable unless there is on-the-ground analysis.

No matter how much media debate or debate, it will not matter.

TYPES OF ARMCHAIR JOURNALISM

• News from the internet
• Pick up news from local newspaper
• Making viral video news
• Fooling the audience by writing a film script
• Generate multiple news in one news
• Pealing the onians
• Creating news from no content
• News channels left no stone unturned to destroy crime reporting, and YouTube came in.

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