KUALA LUMPUR: The police will foster better cooperation with the media to prevent any misunderstanding from occurring, says city police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus.
This was in response to claims by media groups that police ordered several journalists on Tuesday (April 7) to delete all photos and videos taken at the scene of a gang-related attack at a karaoke centre in Cheras.
Comm Fadil said a miscommunication led to police officers at the scene instructing the reporters to delete all their footage.
"Both the police and the media have their respective duties... sometimes conflicts occur.
"Moving forward, I have instructed my officers to be tolerant (towards the media)," he told reporters on Wednesday (April 8).
Earlier, Comm Fadil met with representatives of the Crime Journalists Association and two of the journalists involved.
He said discussions have been initiated between police and those involved to resolve the issue amicably and improve coordination.
Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) questioned why police ordered journalists to delete any footage they had of the crime scene.
A reporter had claimed she was approached by two plainclothes police officers who then inspected her mobile phone.
"She was taken in for questioning over footage she took of the forensic team.
"The journalist was later instructed to delete all photos and videos before being released," the two groups said in a joint statement on Wednesday (April 8).
The groups also claimed that an investigating officer also asked two other journalists to delete their footage and took photos of their press cards, warning they could be called in if any content was circulated.
"Geramm and NUJM call for an explanation from relevant authorities, in line with the principle that journalism is not a crime and the need to protect journalists' rights to carry out their duties," the groups said.
