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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Balogun cautions police against harassment of journalists over reports
TO ensure good partnership, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tafa Balogun, yesterday cautioned his men against harassment of journalists over unfavourable reports about the force.
Also, he directed that the public relations departments of the police should from now correct such reports seen as "bad" through counter press releases and rejoinders.
Balogun spoke in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on "Police and the Press: The Meeting Point" during the annual press week of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
The IG, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police Zone 2, Mr. Gazali Lawal, said the Police should be able to confide in the press as partners in progress.
According to him, it is better to let journalists see reasons why a story should not be used rather than outright evasion and withholding of information.
"This will encourage a congenial atmosphere of trust and co-operation," he said.
He listed some of the criticisms of the police, which are always echoed by the press, as corruption, incivility to members of the public and inefficiency.
Besides, he gave the areas of conflicts between the media and the force as police inaction, powers of arrest, excessive execution of authority during riots, enforcement of unpopular laws, stop and search, indiscriminate use of firearms and alleged brutality.
To achieve a better understanding, which to him is necessary to sustain the nation's fledging democracy, Balogun offered some suggestions.
To him, the NUJ, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and other professional associations should be up to their responsibilities of checking the unprofessional conducts of some in their rank.
While calling for regular interactions between the police and the press, the IG urged journalists to avoid sensationalism.
His words: "They should be brave enough to call a spade a spade."
He urged that armchair journalism should be discouraged and advised editors to do their jobs by ensuring that stories that lack merit do not see the light of the day.
Balogun enjoined the press, as the watchdog of the society, to report sharp practices by members of the public, criminals and even policemen for appropriate disciplinary action.
At the lecture, the state council of the NUJ admitted six people into its Hall of Fame.
They included the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Oyewale Matanmi, Timi of Ede, Oba Tijani Oyewusi and Aloko of Iloko-Ijesa, Oba Oladele Olashore.
Others are the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Chairman, Miccom Group of Companies, Tunde Pounle and the state's Commissioner for Works, Dr. Bayo Faforiji.
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