The minister clarifies that the safety protocol for journalists during the marches “is only a preliminary publication”

The Deputy Minister of Public Security of the Ministry of the Interior, Fidel Pintado, explained that the so-called Project ‘Protocol of interdepartmental actions on coordination and attention to journalists and social communicators in the context of hooliganism”, this is only a preliminary publication. And this is after the criticism of this document by journalistic unions.

“The protocol that was previously published in the official gazette is a protocol that was worked on at the initiative and request of some trade unions, and what was done was to put forward with them a proposal for the protocol, which was previously published for contributions. which are necessary for the observations (which) will be evaluated from there,” he said.

In press statements, Colored He noted that after the preliminary publication, the contributions of all journalistic associations to this protocol are expected, which will be duly evaluated. Ministry of the Interior.

“This is a project, this is not an approved protocol. The idea of ​​the Home Office is to have a tool to help facilitate your intervention and help you,” he added.

As is known, Ministry of the Interior published last Wednesday in the official newspaper El Peruano “An inter-ministerial protocol of action for the coordination and attention to journalists and social communicators in the context of public disorder”. This document implies the regulation of journalistic coverage during marches under the supervision of the police.

What was published in said document indicates that the National Police can offer places for the press to cover scenes of violence and that if they do not comply with these instructions, “any pretense will be their responsibility.”

Questions to the norm

The Press Council issued a statement asking the ministry to archive this protocol. because they claim it interferes with journalistic independence. In addition, they note that the document submitted by the government does not contain a public and transparent procedure for investigating police officers responsible for attacks on the press.

Rodrigo Zalazar Zimmerman, executive director of the Peruvian Press Council, told the RPP that there are various provisions in the protocol that govern journalism.

“The protocol suggests safe places to hide, but the problem arises because it could be interpreted as an executive order. This creates a desert of disinformation, and it’s a very complex issue within the norm because it doesn’t consider the police. as potential aggressors. The highest number of attacks between December and February are by the PPP,” he said.