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Oct 234 min read

How Can You Use Social Media To Report Or Document Police Misconduct?

Widespread Criminal Activities Of Police, Such As Corruption, Abuse Of Power, Human Rights Violations, And Even Torture In Detention Are Some Of The Issues That Have Been Present For A Long Time In The Country. The Increased Use Of Social Media And Technological Advancement Has Enabled The People To Document And Report These Vices With Minimal Effort. Social Media Is A Very Effective Motivating Factor In Calling For Transparency In Law Enforcement, Mobilizing The Public, And Making Sure That The Authorities Are Answerable.

Police Misconduct: About


Police Misconduct Is Defined As Any Deviation From Moral, Legal, Or Professional Norms By A Police Officer. In India, Common Types Of Wrongdoing Include: 


  • Cases When Law Enforcement Agents Use More Physical Force Than Is Warranted. 


  • In Some Cases, Detainees Have Been Maltreated Or Even Murdered While Being Held By The Police. 


  • Soliciting Or Accepting Money To Turn A Blind Eye To Illegal Activities Is Known As Corruption Or Bribery. 


  • Using Power For Wrongful Confinement, Intimidating Or Menacing Individuals, Or Making False Charges. 


  • Inhuman Practices Such As Victimization Of Marginalized Groups, Cruelty, And Wrongful Incarceration.


Use Of Social Media To Report Police Misconduct


With The Emergence Of Platforms Such As Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp, Twitter, And The Likes, Individuals Have Been Able To Document Happenings, Communicate Messages Within Seconds And Create Awareness. Reporting Of Police Misconduct Can Be Facilitated In The Following Ways Through Such Sites:


Documentation And Sharing In Real Time:


  • Due To Social Media, Events Can Now Be Captured In The Form Of A Written Article, Photographs, And Video Clips Almost Instantaneously.

     

  • It Is Very Simple To Capture An Instance Of Police Abuse With A Cell Phone Camera, And Then Upload It To The Internet As Proof. Such Images Toughen The Possibility Of Authorities Hiding Or Denying The Occurrence Of The Incident.


  • For Instance, Instead Of Posting Pictures Of An Event On Their Profile In The Social Platforms, The Audience Can Use Facebook Live And Instagram Live To Undertake The Event As It Happens. 


  • Besides Facilitating The Preservation Of The Event In Such A Way That It Can Be Referenced In The Future, The Real-Time Recording Creates The Chances That The Public Will See And Respond To The Situation Immediately.


Increasing Voices And Gathering Support From The Public:


  • The Exposure That Social Media Affords The Voices Of Witnesses And Victims Is Often A Boon. For Instance, When A Video Or Post Depicting The Unscrupulous Actions Of Law Enforcement Is Shared, It Can Easily Achieve Viral Status, Leading To Outrage And Demands For Accountability.


  • Obtaining Public Support Is Key; Such Support Is Mobilized In Order To Ensure That The Relevant Authorities Act.


  • When An Issue Is Adequately ‘sensitized’ Through The Mass Media, The Relevant Authorities Are Often Compelled To Institute Investigations, Suspend The Officers Involved Or Take Other Remedial Measures.


Identifying And Involving The Media And Authorities:


  • By Doing So, Any Social Media User Can Beat The System By Tagging Law Enforcement Agencies, Federal Or State Agencies, Or Human Rights Institutions, Ensuring That The Matter Gets The Attention It Deserves From The Right Quarters.


  • Let’s Take One Example, In Addition To Twitter's Hashtags, Tagging The National Human Rights Commission, The Chief Minister And The State’s Director General Of Police (Dgp) Can Also Focus The Attention On The Issue.


  • Moreover, Even References To Some Proactive Journalists, Media Houses, Or Journalist Associations May Help Reach Out To A Broader Section Of The Media In Order To Cover That Specific Incident, Hence Creating Consciousness And Pressure Within The Public.


Evidence From Crowdsourcing And Citizen Journalism:


  • The Concept Of “Citizen Journalism” Has Novel Significance Today Because Social Networks Empower People To Record And Report On Events Of Public Interest Without Any Professional Credentials.


  • These Citizen Journalists Are Also Important In Situations Of Police Misconduct By Documenting The Events And Sharing Them With Wider Audiences.


  • Photography Of Police Unjust Actions Is Not Carried Out In Isolation, And Crowds Are Encouraged To Join In The Activity. A Number Of People Engaged In Capturing The Same Event From Different Angles Can Help To Give A Detailed Account And Help In Ascertaining The Truth.


  • This Evidence Can Be Compiled By Legal Entities Or Groups That Advocate For Human Rights In Order To Present Against The Perpetrators.


Police Misconduct: Legal Considerations


  • Again, There Is No Clear Law In India That Prohibits Such Practices As Long As They Do Not Affect The Performance Of Their Duties. Anyone Can Film Or Capture Images Of Any Public Official, Including Police Officers. However, One Might Be Liable To A Criminal Defamation Suit Or Invasion Of Right To Privacy Suit Or Contempt Of Court Suits, If Such Materials Are Posted On The Web.


  • Social Media Laws In India Have Been Governed Under The Information Technology (It) Act, 2000 And Its Amendments. In 2015, Section 66a That Would Limit ‘Disgusting' Social Media Activity Like Posting Offensive Comments Was Rescinded By The Supreme Court. People Using The Services Need To Pay Attention To The Details Of The Applicable Regulations And, On A Case-By-Case Basis, Obtain Legal Assistance If It Is Appropriate.


Ethical Considerations In Documenting Police Misconduct


It Is Crucial To Adhere To Ethical Standards While Reporting Police Wrongdoing In Order To Safeguard The Rights Of All Parties Concerned.


  • Confidentiality: Do Not Actively Share Personal Information That Could Endanger The Victim Or Other Bystanders.


  • Prevention Of Incitement: It Is Fine To Show Disgust But Try Not To Provoke The Anger As Well As Violence Against The Police Or Any Other Society.


  • Protecting Communities At Risk: For The Purpose Of Preventing Any Further Distress, If There Are Any Situations Involving Recording Of Certain Groups, For Instance, Women, Children Or Other Minority Communities, Ensure Their Categorization Is Not Openly Documented.


  • Think Before You Tweet: Spreading False Information May Legitimize Real Cases. Always Check The Facts Before Spreading Any Information That Cannot Be Substantiated.


One Can Talk To A Lawyer From Lead India For Any Kind Of Legal Support. In India, Free Legal Advice Online Can Be Obtained At Lead India. Along With Receiving Free Legal Advice Online, One Can Also Ask Questions To The Experts Online Free Through Lead India.


Visit Us: — www.leadindia.law

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