Police release declaration of news media rights after incident

NEW MEXICO–The Albuquerque Police Department in late December took the unusual step of issuing a written declaration of news media rights after a television reporter was carried off by police while attempting to cover a high school demonstration.

Police acknowledged in the statement that KLUZ reporter Alejandro Bosschaerts was prevented from videotaping the student protest from a public sidewalk in mid-October, according to the station’s general manager. The department added that it wanted to “take a constructive path” by publicly reaffirming the media’s right to gather information in public places.

The protest was over cancellation of English-as-a-second-language courses, according to the Associated Press.

The department issued the statement after discussions between police officials and attorneys for the Spanish-language Univision network, which owns KLUZ.

Police officials added that while the officers had not engaged in wrongdoing, the statement was intended to acknowledge the need for the police and media to understand and support each other. (Media attorney: Rachelle Bin, New York City)