Journalism Organizations Urge NYPD for Timely Access to Radio Communications Amid Encryption Policy Concerns
The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), alongside the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA), the New York Media Consortium, and other journalism organizations, has called on the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to revise its radio encryption policy. In a November 4 letter to New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer and supplemental comments to the NYPD, the coalition acknowledged some improvements, such as the reduction of a proposed one-hour delay to 30 minutes for accessing police radio communications. However, they emphasized that even a 30-minute delay could hinder journalists from effectively covering breaking news, emergencies, arrests, and other newsworthy incidents in real time. The organizations are advocating for credentialed journalists to receive access to police radio communications as promptly as technically feasible, highlighting its importance for independent reporting and journalist safety.
