AK Khan reveals tips for scribes' safety

Hyderabad Police Commissioner A K Khan on Friday revealed that a CID Report had suggested norms to be followed by media persons who desire to cover the events in the Osmania University campus so that they are not harmed physically if any violence breaks out there.

Mr Khan stated that the enquiry report of the CID following violence on the Osmania University Campus on February 14 and 15, 2010 made some recommendations for the visual and print media journalists to preclude them from becoming victims at the hands of unsocial elements.

The city police chief said that the journalists, both visual and print media, should possess accreditation cards and other identifying insignia which should be prominently displayed by them. He said that the recommendations of the CID Report suggested that the scribes should wear luminescent jackets, shoulder brands, helmets, radium stickers with insignia to allow clear identification.

The CID report also suggested that the vehicles of the media need to have the clear mark of identification with reference to TV channel.

While covering a critical law and order and violent events, it is advisable that they should first go to the concerned Police Station, assess the professional risk and then venture for coverage.

It was expected that they understand the professional requirement of the police on duty and cover the events in such a way that the police was not hampered in the lawful discharge of its duties in the public interest and in accordance with all.

The city police chief has requested the managements of the media houses to impress upon the above points to their personnel and also equip them suitably.