(FLIP/IFEX) – On 20 September 2005, police intimidated Carlos Patiño, a photojournalist with the Cúcuta daily “La Opinión”, and prevented him from taking photographs for a news story. The incident occurred at 8:00 p.m. (local time) in the Claret neighbourhood, where police were removing a body after a judicial inspection. Patiño approached the scene to […]
(FLIP/IFEX) – On 20 September 2005, police intimidated Carlos Patiño, a photojournalist with the Cúcuta daily “La Opinión”, and prevented him from taking photographs for a news story.
The incident occurred at 8:00 p.m. (local time) in the Claret neighbourhood, where police were removing a body after a judicial inspection. Patiño approached the scene to take some photographs, and was immediately stopped by a police officer who, in an aggressive tone, forbade him to carry out his work.
Patiño told FLIP that the police officer was backed by his superior, who also insulted him. As well, one of the officers pushed him and threatened him with his gun. Bystanders from the neighbourhood raised objections to the police treatment of the journalist and finally managed to defuse the situation.
FLIP condemns this obstructing of journalism and the aggressiveness with which Patiño was treated. Press freedom includes journalists’ right to be present in public places to seek information. Any limitation on that right must have some basis in law, and not be simply the result of some authority’s opinion.
Finally, FLIP calls upon Cúcuta’s police authorities cease such acts of obstruction and aggression. Authorities have a constitutional obligation to cooperate with journalists performing their normal work.
