Shortly after the shooting in Dallas last week, the Dallas Police Department tweeted a picture of Mark Hughes as its initial suspect. Within minutes, Hughes became the most wanted man in the country. Multiple news outlets broadcasted the photo and thousands of users shared it on social media. Though cleared of all suspicion, Hughes had to go into hiding after he received death threats. 

We talk with Atlanta Police Department Sergeant Walter Pickard about the responsibility of the press in breaking news situations and reporters’ relationships with law enforcement officials. Keith Herndon, journalism professor at University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, also joins us.

Tags: journalism  police  Atlanta  Georgia