第六章 , the Commission has considered whether there is any evidence
The Commission outlines its assessment of responsibility for press control failures and associated law enforcement breakdowns in the immediate aftermath of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, evaluating the roles of the Dallas Police Department and news media, documented press misconduct, and proposed measures to establish ethical standards for press conduct.
Primary Police Responsibility for Press Control Failures
The Commission assigns primary responsibility for failing to control press access and prevent the release of unvetted, unprocessed evidence to the public to the Dallas Police Department, noting it was the only agency positioned to establish orderly, appropriate operating procedures to manage the large influx of news personnel gathered in the police building following the assassination.
Shared News Media Responsibility for Post-Assassination Circumstances
The Commission determines the news media bears partial responsibility for the negative circumstances following the President’s death, as the crowd of reporters generally failed to comply with police demands, frequently used third-floor police offices without permission, tied up critical facilities, disrupted normal police operations, and resisted efforts to clear corridor passageways.
News Media Misconduct and Disregard of Police Directives
Reporters repeatedly disregarded explicit police directives: they completely ignored Chief Curry’s order against asking Lee Harvey Oswald questions and crowding him during the November 22 press conference, and the following morning multiple reporters shouted questions at Oswald as he appeared in the basement despite instructions to direct no questions at him.
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.