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| Crime Watch host Ian Alleyne mobbed by fans outside TV6 Thursday |
Police went to the offices of CCN TV6 Thursday and took away several video recordings and documents relating to an alleged rape of a 13-year-old Morvant schoolgirl that was shown on the station’s Crime Watch programme in October.
Media reports say police stated that they questioned several members of staff including senior newsroom personnel about the broadcast. The tape shows what appears to be two young men assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
In a statement, MATT said the police action can be construed as an attempt to intimidate and harass a media house "which, it seemed, had been co-operating fully with their investigation."
It added, "We are satisfied that, in this instance, the tape of the Crime Watch programme which aired on TV6 would have been handed over to the police if they had simply asked for it. The association believes that sending over two dozen officers to search the station and "lock down" the media house was overkill."
MATT also suggested that the authorisation of search warrants for media premises could be an infringement on the freedom of the press.
"Such incursions into media houses may be used as a pretext for unearthing information about sources or other material that journalists are likely to have in their possession," MATT said.
"Police searches of media premises therefore have the potential to erode public trust in the media, undermine the protection of sources and vaporise the confidentiality which governs their work."
The Police service stated Friday officers followed the proper rules and protocols in executing a search warrant at CCN TV6.
Sergeant Wayne Mystar, Public Information Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) the officers conducted themselves in a professional, courteous and respectful manner in discharging their duties.
"The activity and behaviour which took place outside of the office of CCN and aired on the news media was a far cry from what took place inside the building," he explained.
"During the execution of the warrant, officers held discussions with officials from CCN and there was compliance and cooperation. At no time did the TTPS contact the media as was reported in the press," he added.
Mystar said when the officers left the building after about an hour, they were surprised at the crowd outside.
"The media also reported that more than 25 officers descended upon the office of CCN. On the contrary, 18 officers were detailed to be part of that exercise. They were drawn from specialist areas within the Police Service to facilitate the proper execution of the warrant."
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