PR-Aspect and the Main Factors of Negative Impact of Information on the Activities of Law Enforcement Agencies

Abstract

The current practice of disseminating information about the activities of public authorities, in particular within law enforcement sphere, has been studied. The main methods of dissemination of public information about the activities of state agencies, the content of such information, the context of submission of information messages, the time of dissemination and the main target audience of information consumers have been analyzed. The social effect of information dissemination, the duration of the information background of the message and the aftereffect of the information were subjected to additional monitoring. The main purpose was to clarify the role and impact of information on the activities of law enforcement agencies to increase their authority and public confidence and to ensure the proper performance of law enforcement functions by the relevant officials.

As a result of the study, the author, for the first time, has identified and characterized the main factors of negative impact of information on the activities of  law enforcement agencies taking into account the current problems of state building in Ukraine, namely: change in information flow characteristics – news content, predominance of negative examples in government activities over reports about positive practices, distribution of political entertainment shows with the participation of current state officials); political and informational immaturity of Ukrainian society, which does not allow to adequately respond to the dissemination of false information and to be critical of its content; the impossibility of prompt and truthful personalization of the source of information dissemination due to the anonymity of distributors and the policy of confidentiality of information resources.

The study of such factors allows to take into account their specificity in the dissemination of information about the activities of state law enforcement agencies by press services and individual officials, to develop and scientifically substantiate legal mechanisms to reduce or eliminate their harmful informational impact on government activities, state sovereignty and ensuring law and order in the country. This should allow further development of practical recommendations and instructions for law enforcement officials on the procedure for disseminating information about the daily activities of law enforcement agencies, emergencies both on the territory of the unit and with the participation of its officials.