FOLLOWING on from the riots and disturbances that occurred across the country last week, police forces such as Essex have been working with all accredited media in order to maintain a clear channel of communication and co-operation.

Over the last week, all across the county of Essex, all news organisations have stepped up to the plate and, we believe, helped not hindered. We applaud everyone for their commitment.

As you may have seen, the authorities are not mucking about. Many people have received prison sentences for a range of crimes and offences. That has included information put on line. We offer this advice in the spirit it is intended but the message we are putting across here is that we would be very careful what you put on line and indeed, what you may host on line.

As you may have seen over the last week, our job is to report the news. It has been a busy August already. Be it the Gas Leak on Fifth Avenue; the fields on fire between Newhall and Old Harlow and the stabbing in Church Langley, our job is to attend, record, research and report. On all occasions, requesting a statement from the relevant services.

It is all very procedural.

We also try to keep a tight rein on the comments section. People need to be very clear on what is meant by free speech. As they say, if you think you can shout fire in a crowded cinema then you may need to be aware that there may be consequences.

We are not saying we always get it right. But we do try.

Let us be clear, hosting comments regarding possible rioting in Harlow is not helping. We have expressed our concerns to a number of authorities. All information hubs have responsibilities. Many of us editors and journalists are members of news regulators, societies, advisory boards etc. With the credibility comes responsibility.

And at the end of the day, let’s not frighten folk eh?

We hope this piece of editorial is taken in the spirit it is intended.

Michael Casey

Editor of YourHarlow

Aug 10th, 2024.