The Delhi Police has introduced a new set of guidelines for journalists covering protests, focusing on maintaining order and ensuring safety during such events. This announcement was made on Monday, following recent allegations made by women journalists regarding harassment by police during a protest at Jantar Mantar. The guidelines stress the importance of proper identification and conduct while covering these potentially volatile situations.

In a social media statement, the Delhi Police emphasised the need for adherence to professional standards, asserting that both the story and the means of obtaining it are significant. Journalists covering protests are instructed to display valid identification visibly at all times. This is intended to facilitate identification by law enforcement at the scene.

Furthermore, the police underscored that journalists must ensure their presence does not impede police operations or disturb the movement of law enforcement personnel. Maintaining a safe and reasonable distance while covering events is also encouraged, allowing for a clear distinction between journalists and protesters. This directive was accompanied by the hashtag #EthicsofJournalism to underline its importance.

Allegations Against Police Personnel Under Investigation

Recent protests at Jantar Mantar have brought serious allegations to light, with three women journalists reporting incidents of sexual harassment from police officers. The complaints have been formally received by the Delhi Police and have been passed on to the Crime Branch for a detailed investigation. The claims reportedly pertain to an incident that occurred during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

In light of these allegations, independent journalists staged a protest outside the Parliament Street police station, advocating for the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against the involved officers. This collective action reflects ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of journalists during protests and their safety while covering critical events.

In a notable development, the Assistant Commissioner of Police implicated in the allegations of harassment was recently promoted to Additional Deputy Commissioner. The Delhi Police stated that this promotion was part of a general routine and that the decision had been made prior to the allegations becoming public.

Response from Delhi Police on Promotions and Protocols

On Sunday, in an official post via its X handle, the Delhi Police confirmed that the complaints from the October 3 protest had been acknowledged and were transferred to the appropriate department for a fair investigation. They indicated that the district police unit in New Delhi would oversee the proceedings following the harassment claims made by the female journalists.

Officials have reiterated that the promotion of the assistant commissioner and eleven other officers was based on pre-existing evaluations and not as a response to the allegations made. This response aims to clarify the intent behind personnel advancements whilst upholding the necessity for prosecutorial integrity in light of the complaints received.

The situation continues to develop as the Crime Branch undertakes its investigation into the allegations. The Delhi Police remains under scrutiny as they attempt to navigate the complex relationship between law enforcement and media coverage during protests, with an emphasis on upholding professional conduct and ensuring the safety of all parties involved.

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