Cops’ access to journos restricted

The Police Headquarters recently instructed its members not to talk to the media about any cases under investigation and special or sensitive drives to avoid controversy.

“Some police officials speak to the media about cases under investigation which causes unnecessary controversy over the probe. Such statements raise question in people’s mind about the secrecy and neutrality of the investigation,” said a directive of the PHQ, signed by Additional Deputy Inspector General Rezaul Karim.

The directive issued on September 16 was sent to the Rab headquarters, chiefs of different police units and superintendents of district police, urging them to comply with it.

It comes against the backdrop of criticism of the superintendent of Barguna police by the High Court for giving a statement to the media that Ayesha Siddika Minni while on remand confessed to her involvement in the murder of her husband Rifat Sharif.

The HC on August 29 also directed the home secretary and the inspector general of police to formulate a guideline on statements to be given by law enforcers to the media on the progress of cases and those arrested during investigation.

“Superintendent of Police in Barguna Maruf Hossain appeared before the media while Ayesha Siddika Minni was on remand. His statement that Minni confessed to her guilt was not only uncalled for but also was contradictory to the ethical practices and fair and impartial investigation.

“Whatever the situation was, such a statement from a responsible officer like the superintendent of police has raised different questions in people’s mind. On one side his statement raised questions in people’s mind and on other it put his responsibility and professionalism into question, which is regrettable and disappointing,” the HC said.

Asked about the latest PHQ directive, a mid-ranked police official said, “This is nothing new. The Police Headquarters had earlier issued almost similar directives several times.”

In the directive, the PHQ said only the unit in-charge or the spokespersons will talk to the media about sensitive and special drives. Police officials will refrain from giving information to journalists about any issue outside their jurisdiction.

It prohibited the police members from recording audio and video footage of an event without approval.

The PHQ order also instructed the force members not to behave in a way that might create distance between media personnel and police.