Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Public Relation Officer (PRO) was appointed by Goa police on media demand for one point contact, to avoid different versions, in public interest, claimed DGP Jaspal Singh.
He was reacting to media reports alleging that the order issued by DGP office mandating that all police dept related communication will be routed through PRO was nothing short of a gag order.
“PRO was appointed on media demand for one point contact to avoid different versions in public interest. Public has a right to know facts and not multiple versions,”said DGP.
If media is not interested in PRO and wanna poach versions, I don’t mind in discontinuing new system, he further added.
In a five-page standing order dated May 31, 2023, DGP Goa has prevented police officials of all ranks from giving any information to the press and media.
The order prevents even an official of the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) from giving any information to the press and media.
All the communication has been redirected to the Public Relation Officer (PRO) of Goa Police.
In the standing order, the DGP also says that the communication with the media as far as practicable will be done through press releases which shall be issued by the PRO after approval of senior police officials.
