1. 1 Radio Communications Expert Group Inspector John Ferris Garda Press Office

2. 2 Overview  Why do we engage with media?  The impact of social media ?  How An Garda Siochana use ?  Media Strategy ( the role Social Media can play)

3. 3 Overview · Types and Use of Social Media by AGS · Public awareness of Social Media. Channels used by AGS · Operational Benefits · AGS Experience with Social Media · Training / Resources / Cost · Policy on Social Media · Lesson Learned by AGS

4. 4 News and Media Management Release of Information on: - Serious Crime Incidents - RTCs (traffic management) - Missing Persons - Witness appeals Responding to Media Queries on incidents, policy, statistics Bids re interviews, facilities, documentaries, current affairs Rebuttal

5. 5 The Media

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7. 7 A crowded market place 3 National TV Stations – RTE1; Network2; TV3. 4 National Radio channels – RTE 1; 2 FM; Today FM; Newstalk. 48 Local radio Channels 7 National Daily Newspapers 7 National Sunday Newspapers 110 Local / Regional Newspapers

8. 8 And don’t forget … Journel.ie Web-based News Sites Indiemedia.ie Web-based News Sites Indiemedia.iePolitics.ie The “citizen news gatherer” iPhone / Smartphone The “citizen news gatherer” iPhone / Smartphone Social Networking – Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Instagram etc Social Networking – Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, Instagram etc

9. 9 Social Media in Numbers 2012 Most Popular Tweet of the Year “Four more years” @BarackObama (Nov 6, 2012) Retweeted 810,000 times Most Popular Irish Facebook Pages 1. U2 (13m fans) 4. Bailey’s Irish Cream (1.4m fans) 50. Love/Hate (RTE) 93,000 fans

10. 10 Social Media in Numbers Facebook Irish Users Of its 2.3m registered users, women are the majority on Facebook here with 53pc female user and 47pc male users compared to 26pc and 74pc in Iraq and 55pc and 45pc in New Zealand Age Profile The largest age group of Irish Facebook users is currently aged 25-34, followed by the users in the age of 18-24. Number of Irish Twitter Accounts – 570,000

11. 11 An article that appeared in the Irish Times on Friday 1 st March 2013 titled “Smartphone overtakes TV as primary screen” stated: “A study by Verizon in the US, for instance, found that 65% of people watching the presidential election on television last November did so with either a laptop, tablet or smartphone”

12. 12 The mass effects and speed of social media on a Garda investigation.

13. 13 At 9.30pm on Friday 25 th January 2013, a shooting incident occurred outside Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co. Dundalk. Tragically Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was fatally wounded at the scene.

14. Time on Tweet is Pacific Standard Time -8 hrs GMT 14 At 10.20 PM GMT the first Tweet about the murder was sent (50 minutes after the shooting)

15. Time on Tweet is Pacific Standard Time -8 hrs GMT 15 At 10.22 PM GMT the second tweet about the murder was sent (52 minutes after the shooting)

16. Time on Tweet is Pacific Standard Time -8 hrs GMT 16 At 10.32 PM GMT the first Tweet from the Media was sent (62 minutes after the shooting) A person replies 2 minutes later naming Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe as the victim)

17. 17 At 10.53pm the Garda Press Office issue a Press Release (82 minutes after the shooting) Serious Shooting Incident Dundalk - 25th January 2013 Gardaí in Dundalk are investigating a shooting incident which occurred in Dundalk at approximately 9.30pm this evening (25/1/13). The incident occurred outside the Lordship Credit Union at Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. Gardaí in Dundalk are investigating a shooting incident which occurred in Dundalk at approximately 9.30pm this evening (25/1/13). The incident occurred outside the Lordship Credit Union at Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth. A number of shots were fired during the incident resulting in the serious injury of a Detective Garda attached to Dundalk Garda Station. A dark coloured car left the scene in the direction of Dundalk. At this stage we believe four people were in this car. A number of shots were fired during the incident resulting in the serious injury of a Detective Garda attached to Dundalk Garda Station. A dark coloured car left the scene in the direction of Dundalk. At this stage we believe four people were in this car. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to contact the incident room at Dundalk Garda Station at 042-9388400, the Garda Confidential Number 1-800-666-111. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to this incident to contact the incident room at Dundalk Garda Station at 042-9388400, the Garda Confidential Number 1-800-666-111. Further information to follow. Further information to follow. Ref: 0081/13 Issued by Garda Press Office on 25/01/2013 22:53:18

18. Time on Tweet is Pacific Standard Time -8 hrs GMT 18 At 10.55 PM GMT the first Tweet that names D/Garda Donohoe was sent (85 minutes after the shooting)

19. 19 The speed of social media another example.

20. 20 At 4.09pm on 4 th December 2012, Gardaí in Raheny received a call that a man was shot on Furry Park Road in Killester. The deceased was Eamon Kelly and he was fatally wounded at the scene.

21. Time on Tweet is Pacific Standard Time -8 hrs GMT 21 At 4.34pm GMT the Independent sent the Tweet below naming the deceased (29 minutes after the shooting)

22. 22 The public use social media to spread information, that may effect a current Garda operation/investigation. The public use social media to spread information, that may effect a current Garda operation/investigation. Public may go to the scene ?

23. 23 Ballycotton: 16 November 2010

24. 24 Ballycotton: 16 November 2010 @EoinBearla Eoin English: Journalist with the Irish Examiner and making-it-up-as-he- goes-along father of two. (Tweets are my own) [website is www.irishexaminer.ie] www.irishexaminer.ie 11.05 a.m. Hearing reports of what appears to be a dreadful tragedy in East Cork – two children and a man involved. Details as they emerge. 11:12 AM11:12 AM RedFM10toNews Britain's Prince William engaged to Kate Middleton -- wedding set for 2011 via web Retweeted by EoinBearla RedFM10toNewsEoinBearla 11:12 AMRedFM10toNewsEoinBearla 11.30 a.m. 2 kids under 10 found dead in a house near Ballycotton. Man found dead nearby short time later. Burned out car nearby linked to tragedy.

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26. 26 At 10.45pm on the 23 rd of June 2011, Gardaí in Rathmines receive a report of an alleged sexual assault in a nightclub on Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6.

27. 27 This tweet was sent the following day 24 th June 2011

28. 28 The Tweet below was sent by 98FM about the incident on 24 th June 2011

29. 29 At 7pm on Sunday 3 rd March 2013, a man was shot in Cabra House Pub on Fassaugh Avenue. The deceased was Paul Cullen and was fatally wounded at the scene.

30. 30 The following tweet was sent at 7.00pm (28 minutes after the shooting)

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33. 33 Twitter @gardatraffic Disseminate information Recognised source of information Only issue relatively significant traffic issues Cost effective but requires dedicated resources at times ? Terms of Engagement - Not constantly monitored Accuracy is key, road reopens etc

34. 34 Engaging with the Media Why?

35. 35 General Principles Support investigations Support investigations Support overall Garda objectives Support overall Garda objectives Highlight good work and successes Highlight good work and successes Build public confidence Build public confidence Provide reassurance Provide reassurance

36. 36 An Investigative Media Strategy Have regard for the victim, the victims family and friends Consider community impact with particular regard for fear of crime Disseminate Crime Prevention advice where appropriate Demonstrate professionalism of investigation and organisation, provide reassurance and build community confidence

37. 37 The Garda Press Office tweet information regularly informing the public of traffic disruption

38. 38 Tweetdeck We see who’s talking

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41. 41 Timely Accurate Information Tetra radio Mobile phones, images etc Spotlight –Press Office Mgnt Software Email Twitter- Traffic, Texting- pilot basis Facebook,- New initiatives seeking observations Flickr- Seeking owners of property Youtube press briefing, Fraud scams etc Web site –www.garda.ie Need for Policy – who is responsible. “FEAR OF CRIME” “FEAR OF CRIME”

42. 42 Social Media Global Merging of Standards, practices. Service Providers- Global Policing approaches Vary- images etc

43. 43 Challenge and Opportunity Reality check - media are interested and will seek out information wherever they can find it, twitter, facebook, iphones Explore the opportunity this presents for your operation Private use employees on work issues Home address/details of employees Policy -Compliance with legislation with personal data. Social Media –Communication Policy (Technical side play minor part- provide infrastructure

44. 44 Future- Future- Provide information USER wants, in format, within time line they want. Traditional Press and Social media. Traditional Press and Social media. Blend – information in format - User wants, Recognising – –Linking tweets to web site Q and A inform media and public Breaking news will be social media Police response to media will NEED to get shorter. Need to monitor –social media is uncontrolled