Police to provide protection kits to journalists covering protests

Maldives Police Service has decided to provide protection kits (safety gear) to those journalists active in covering protests.

Speaking at a news conference held in Iskandhar Koshi, participated by members from Maldives Media Council, Maldives Broadcasting Commission and other news agencies active in the country, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Saudhee said that special efforts will be made to investigate and prosecute the attacks on persons of the media. He also said that protection kits, same as the ones utilized by police for their protection in handling protests, will be provided to those journalists covering protests.

“Right now, we can do two things towards extending protection for journalists. As such, we will give special attention to investigate and prosecute the attacks made on the police, and we’ll work hastily to towards this end. Next, in order to cover the protests as closely as possible, we will provide the kits used by the police to a selected journalists, for their safety and protection,” Saudhee said.

In addition, Saudhee said that police will provide security for the media or persons of the media if the police investigations and assessments show that the media or persons of the media are in fact in danger.

Saudhee said that Maldives Police Service does not have any intention to discriminate between different media agencies in the country, but said that they should discuss and solve the problem if the media notice that such practices occur.

With regard to the manner in which the media covers protests, Saudhee said that Maldives Police Service strongly appeals to the media to deliver the reality of the situation to the public during a protests, as opposed to showing live feeds of only the police arresting protesters.

He added that it will be easier for the police to provide protection for journalists covering protests if they heed the instructions of the police while the protests are taking place, and urged the media to provide the necessary assistance while the police conduct the investigation of attacks made on journalists.

The press conference was participated by the Maldives Broadcasting Commission as well as the Maldives Media Council. All parties pledged to provide whatever assistance required in providing the proper protection to journalists.