Bihar Police restrict media interactions to authorised spokespersons
Under the new directive issued on July 22, only the designated spokesperson at the police headquarters (PHQ) will have the authority to communicate with the media regarding imported cases.
In this case, Kundan Krishnan, additional director general (ADG), PHQ, who was previously appointed as the official police spokesperson, will now be the sole authority for media communications in important cases.
Recently, Patna senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma, during a press conference, warned reporters for their "irresponsible reporting in the gangster Chandan Mishra murder case".
He mentioned issuing show-cause notices to such media houses for their coverage, which allegedly alerted the accused involved in the case.
However, the PHQ issued a press note on Wednesday clarifying, "An order has been issued stating that the authorised police spokesperson for the PHQ will present and read press notes on important matters to the media, after obtaining approval from the DGP. Any information related to a specific division will be presented to the press by its head after approval from the DGP."
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In districts, as before, the SSP/superintendent of police or an officer authorised by them will provide information to the media. Unauthorised police officers will not give statements to the media, the order said.
The directive explicitly prohibits individual police officers and personnel from giving independent media bytes or statements. For matters of significance, written information will be prepared and shared through the spokesperson only after receiving approval from the DGP.
The decision follows several recent incidents where individual statements by police officers led to misunderstandings and controversies like a statement on Bihar farmers, issued by the ADG. Krishnan, during a press conference at the PHQ, said that murders are on the rise during April-June as agricultural works were suspended in monsoon. The same statement was repeated by the Bihar DGP after 24 hours. Later, Krishnan apologised for his statement.
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