1.5.3. In the case of violence against media representatives, as in all other instances of possible unlawful use of force, a thorough and independent investigation must be conducted, and, if warranted, criminal charges should be brought and all necessary steps should be taken to bring all perpetrators of crimes against journalists and other media personnel to justice. 1.5.4. The media’s right to cover, film, and record protests should be protected. 1.5.4.1. Officers shall not deny access to a protest site to identified media personnel of any news service (online, print, radio or television). 1.5.4.2. Officers shall not assault, interfere or obstruct authorized media representatives from gathering, receiving, or processing information for communication to the public. 1.5.4.3. Officers must ensure any media equipment brought to the protest site by media personnel is not tampered with or destroyed and that its use is not hindered in any way (e.g., covering a camera lens is unacceptable). 1.5.4.4. Even after a dispersal order has been given, clearly identified media personnel shall be permitted to carry out their professional duties in the protest site, even where arrests are being made. 1.6. Officers should further accommodate the media to foster better relations with them and through them, the public by: 1.6.1. Establishing procedures for media access through: 1.6.2. Establishing a staging point for media representatives. 1.6.3. Assistance with regard to media movement and the positioning of equipment. 1.7. Media at protests warranting this protection are media personnel who carry valid identification with them and present it to the police and tri-forces when respectfully asked to produce proof of identification (e.g. a person carrying media equipment alone is not entitled to the same protection). 1.8. Provocation by the media is not a defence for the police or tri-forces to assault media personnel. 40