The T&T Police Service (TTPS) is being blamed for last Thursday’s attack on Guardian photographer Rishi Ragoonath and ought to take responsibility, the Media Association of T&T (MATT) says.
Ragoonath was physically assaulted while on duty by a prisoner who escaped police custody outside the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court. He sustained injuries to the head, eyes and chest. His camera and spectacles were also damaged. The prisoner, a murder accused, also verbally threatened his life.
In a release yesterday, MATT said the TTPS has to take full responsibility for the attack, as the police was responsible for securing the prisoner at the time of the assault. MATT also condemned the TTPS’ inaction on issuing a public statement on this matter and its failure in reaching out to Ragoonath.
“The association has communicated with Ag Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, who informed us that an investigation was immediately launched to determine how the prisoner was able to escape police custody to assault Ragoonath. While we appreciate the Commissioner’s prompt action, we further call on him to ensure that the investigation is expeditious and that the TTPS publicly reveals the outcome of its investigation and what action it intends to take post-investigation,” the release stated.
MATT says it sees the incident as demonstrative of the poor state of prisoner security, especially in the context of other breaches of security by prisoners being transported to and from court in the Southern Division.
“The association takes this matter very seriously in the context of general citizen insecurity and the number of murders that reportedly have been coordinated by prisoners from inside the prisons. At a time when ‘hits’ are reportedly being called from behind prison walls, Ragoonath must be fearful for his and his family’s safety,” MATT said.
MATT also called on T&T Guardian’s editor-in-chief Orin Gordon to further establish support for Ragoonath and to encourage an immediate offer of professional psychological assistance.
It said the trauma of violence, threats and intimidation, including cyber-bullying campaigns, must be recognised as daily threats to the freedom of information. It thus called on media houses to strengthen internal protocols and policies to support and protect the health and safety of its media workers.
“This includes immediate access to physical and psychological medical care, adequate insurance coverage for journalists operating in the field or arising out of stories published and increased security when necessary,” MATT said.
Gordon said the T&T Guardian has traditionally supported and provided ongoing support for journalists who, in the course of doing their jobs, have met with accidents.
“We are working towards having Rishi provided with the medical and related assistance he needs to help him get through this distressing episode, including psychological counselling. He will be fully supported through this. We have a duty of care to Rishi, not just in seeking appropriate law enforcement and legal remedies, but in HR terms,” Gordon said.
“I agree with MATT taking the opportunity to take a wider look at threats journalists face. I hope that we the media houses would, with MATT’s help, jointly identify the threats and codify responses to them.”