Police brutality targets journalists

THE EDITOR: First off, congratulations to the four police officers who went beyond the call of duty and risked their lives to assist occupants of a vehicle that crashed into the Gourdino River on Mosquito Creek. It was reported that the officers stripped off their uniforms, dove into the water and pulled out the injured. One of the officers even performed CPR in an attempt to resuscitate one of the injured. However, it is the conduct of officers such as those embroiled in the unfortunate incident involving a working journalist that negate such good police work.

It was reported that the journalist was at the time in a public place (Lara Promenade) covering a confrontation with police and students on the Promenade. The journalist, it was reported was severely roughed up, beaten and dragged along the Promenade. It is even more disgraceful that the journalist was a woman, a mother of six. What crime did the journalist commit or what law was breached in the execution of her duties? The police response was that the journalist used obscene language and obstructed the police in the execution of their duties. Even if that was true, was the response by the police a right one?

This is one of many such incidents in recent times involving journalists — both print and electronic — police and to a lesser extent, security officers. It is a worrying trend that is slowly emerging and, what’s worst, the authorities seem not to care. Are they condoning such behaviour? Do the officers involved have something to hide? Why would police officers harass journalists doing their jobs? Does it mean that they are operating outside of the law and as such would not want to have it reported or better, photographed?

The police and security officers need to be reminded of the freedom of expression, in particular, press freedom enshrined in our constitution. The role of the journalists is a very important one: They are the eyes and ears of the people and should be respected and allowed to perform their functions without intimidation. The police have their jobs to do and should be respected. They demand, and sometimes try to enforce respect, when it should be earned. If you want to be respected, you must first give respect and recognise the freedoms of others under the constitution and within the realms of the law.

ELMO GRIFFITH
Gasparillo