Police asked to respect scribes
Oct 06, 2010
THE Police have been asked to respect media freedom and prevent the harassment of journalists in efforts to pave way for free and fair elections next year.
By Francis Kagolo
THE Police have been asked to respect media freedom and prevent the harassment of journalists in efforts to pave way for free and fair elections next year.
The Police chief political commissar, Asan Kasingye, apologised for incidents where the Police beat up journalists, especially during political rallies and riots.
“This is unacceptable. The Police need to respect the fact that journalists have an important role to play in society, especially during elections,†he stated.
Kasingye was speaking at a meeting of selected senior Police officers, media practitioners and trainers organised by the Uganda Media Development Foundation at the Kampala Imperial Royale Hotel on Tuesday.
Kasingye, who is also the assistant inspector general of Police, warned the Police officers who chase journalists from certain events, particularly riots, to stop.
“If you don’t want them (journalists) to capture the wrong things you are doing, then improve,†he said.
Kasingye’s warning comes amid reports by the Human Rights Network for Journalists, a local advocacy group, ranking the Police as the number one abuser of journalists’ rights.
THE Police have been asked to respect media freedom and prevent the harassment of journalists in efforts to pave way for free and fair elections next year.
The Police chief political commissar, Asan Kasingye, apologised for incidents where the Police beat up journalists, especially during political rallies and riots.
“This is unacceptable. The Police need to respect the fact that journalists have an important role to play in society, especially during elections,†he stated.
Kasingye was speaking at a meeting of selected senior Police officers, media practitioners and trainers organised by the Uganda Media Development Foundation at the Kampala Imperial Royale Hotel on Tuesday.
Kasingye, who is also the assistant inspector general of Police, warned the Police officers who chase journalists from certain events, particularly riots, to stop.
“If you don’t want them (journalists) to capture the wrong things you are doing, then improve,†he said.
Kasingye’s warning comes amid reports by the Human Rights Network for Journalists, a local advocacy group, ranking the Police as the number one abuser of journalists’ rights.